Labour’s shadow childcare minister Alison McGovern joined Dewsbury’s Labour parliamentary candidate Paula Sherriff in a visit to Dewsbury Moor children’s centre this morning.

They met with parents and staff to have a tour of facilities, hear about the various activities that take place at the centre, and to speak to parents about what they want the next government to more for them.

One thing discussed was Labour’s pledge to increase free childcare for working mums with three and four year olds from 15 to 25 hours a week. 

Alison McGovern, Labour’s Shadow Childcare Minister, said: 

“It was great to meet staff and parents at Dewsbury Moor Children’s Centre. They told me how much of a crucial resource the centre is to local families -; I’m very proud that the last Labour government introduced Sure Start, we understood the importance of early years education and support for parents.

 “Many of the parents we met today would benefit hugely from Labour’s pledge to increase free childcare for three and four year olds to 25 hours a week. They told me it would help them return to work or increase their hours. 

“Many mums want to return to work but simply find the huge costs of childcare make it prohibitive -; Labour will change that so mums who want to work can work. The policy will help 12,000 mums across Yorkshire and 43,000 children.”

Paula Sherriff, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Dewsbury, said: 

“I was pleased to welcome the shadow minister to Dewsbury today to see firsthand the wonderful work being done at Dewsbury Moor Children’s Centre -; it’s such a vital resource for the local community and a real life line for so many parents. 

“Labour’s plans to increase free childcare for three and four year olds, and also our pledge to guarantee childcare will be available for primary pupils at their school from 8am until 6pm for those who need it, will make such a difference to local mums who want to go back to work after having a child but find the costs of childcare so high that work wouldn’t be viable.”