Cumbrian parents set to save £39m from expanded childcare support

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 17:38 · Archive

Cumbrian parents are set to save an estimated £39 million this school year through extended government-funded childcare for children aged nine months to two years.

Parents in Cumbria are set to save an estimated £39 million this school year through expanded government childcare support. The figure comes from Josh MacAlister, Children's Minister and west Cumbrian MP. The extended funded childcare entitlement now offers eligible working parents of children aged nine months to two years up to 30 free hours per week.

Mr MacAlister said the scheme will help Cumbrian parents save an average of £8,000 for each child. The analysis is based on Department for Education data and covers 4,883 children in Cumbria. Government-funded childcare has cut costs on childcare for families in half, according to research.

Coram Family and Childcare's annual Childcare Survey found that the cost of a part-time childcare place has fallen to 2005 levels, reversing more than 20 years of rising costs in just two years. The cost of a full-time 50-hour place for a child under two has dropped by 52 per cent compared to 2024, from around £305 per week to £149. The government has also announced other support for families, including lifting the two child cap, expanding free school meals, and introducing free breakfast clubs.

How it is being reported

• Expanded childcare support set to save Cumbrian parents £39m this school yearParents in Cumbria are set to save an estimated £39 million this school year thanks to expanded government childcare support.Cumberland News · 19 Oct, 17:21
• Expanded childcare support set to save Cumbrian parents £39m this school yearParents in Cumbria are set to save an estimated £39 million this school year thanks to expanded government childcare support.Whitehaven News · 19 Oct, 17:21

In this story: Josh MacAlister · Andy Burnham · Cumbria · Department for Education · Coram Family and Childcare

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