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| Parents at Appletree Children’s Centre with Alison McGovern MP and Cat Smith |
Cat Smith, Labour’s candidate for parliament in Lancaster, has been campaigning across the city on childcare, joined by Labour MPs visiting the city.
She was joined by Labour’s shadow children’s minister, Alison McGovern MP, at Appletree Children’s Centre on Milking Style Lane on 12th February, where they met parents and staff. On 25th February she was joined by Lisa Nandy MP where they spoke to parents studying and working at Lancaster University.
Cat Smith, Labour’s candidate for parliament in Lancaster, said,
“Meeting parents at Appletree Children’s Centre and at Lancaster University I heard some of the daily struggles they face with childcare. I was pleased to be able to share with them Labour’s commitment to increase to 25 hours a week the free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds with working parents and delivering at least 50,000 more childcare places by doubling the number available at Sure Start centres. For those with school-age children they were supportive of Labour’s guarantee of access to before and after school care from 8am – 6pm through every primary school.”
Alison McGovern MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Childcare and Children, said:
“It was great to see the excellent facilities and passionate staff at Appletree Children’s Centre in Lancaster. By contrast, David Cameron is badly letting down working families. Since 2010 the failing Tory plan has seen the costs of childcare soar. On top of this, there are over 40,000 fewer childcare places and wages are down £1,600 a year on average.”
Lisa Nandy MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Civil Society, said:
“Meeting the students and staff at Lancaster University balancing studies and work with childcare really brings it home that Britain only succeeds when working families succeed. Labour’s plan offers a better future for families struggling against the soaring cost and lack of availability of childcare.”