Free childcare for Blackpool families from this week

Working parents in Blackpool South are used to making sacrifices for their family. But sometimes they’re forced into decisions that just don’t make sense.

Like mothers who have to turn down opportunities to get on with their career once they’ve had their child because childcare just costs too much.

As the dad of a pre-schooler, I understand too well the cost of childcare. I’m fortunate enough to be able to afford to send my son to nursery, allowing myself and my wife to work, but the fact that the cost of childcare outweighs the financial benefits of working for many is ridiculous.

I got into politics to make a difference for those parents and their children. To back mums and dads in Blackpool who want to work hard and get on. To give every child growing up here the best start in life.

So I’m delighted that this week we are seeing the largest expansion of childcare in this country’s history, thanks to this Labour government. From this term we’re on track for over half a million families to get access to 30 hours of government-funded childcare per week. That’s a promise made and a promise delivered by this government.

We’re getting on and delivering a key milestone in our Plan for Change to unlock opportunities for every child, whatever their background. This is a critical step in Labour’s mission to give every child the best start in life.

It hasn’t been easy, given what we encountered when we took office: the Tories left behind a pledge without a plan – not enough places, not enough staff and precious little time to put it right.

The idea that you could get a childcare place as easily as a primary school place just a couple of years ago would have been the stuff of dreams, but with Labour times are changing. Now more than 9 in 10 parents are getting their preferred childcare place.

With this new support, this Labour government is putting up to £7,500 a year back in Blackpool parents’ pockets. That’s delivering savings that can go towards shopping, housing or even making family memories that last a lifetime.

But it’s not just about money saved on nursery fees. It’s about choices. Parents can now make the choice to go back to work or up their hours and build successful careers while saving money on nursery fees. And grandparents can choose to spend time with their grandchildren rather than being depended on to look after them.

Labour’s not stopping here. We’re stepping up our support for working families through our Best Start in Life campaign. More support will be available in our brilliant Family Hubs and at your fingertips, through our new BestStartinLife.gov.uk website.

And we’re saving Blackpool parents money when your children reach school too. From rolling out free breakfast clubs in every primary school, to the biggest ever expansion in free school meals eligibility, this Labour government is serious about supporting working parents.

This is not just change for parents – it’s change for our country too. Hundreds of thousands of parents can crack on with their careers and boost economic growth. Their talent and hard work will get our economy moving again.

Our childcare offer backs parents and boosts growth. But at the heart of it it’s about children – giving them the very best start in life.

That’s what real change looks like – the kind that is felt in family budgets and children’s futures.