CYP Now - Analysis: Child Tax Credits - How many families will benefit?

The Government's promise of financial aid to parents employing nannies has opened a can of worms. Are the intentions honourable, or do the restrictions show that this is merely a way of winning votes for the next election?

With a general election as little as 12 months away, Labour is looking at ways in which to target key voters. Attracting the female vote in 1997 was key to Tony Blair's landslide success, but party managers are now concerned over signs that women might be drifting away.

So last week we saw children's minister Margaret Hodge promising tax breaks to middle-income families who employ a nanny to enable the mother to work.

Under the scheme, which could come into force as soon as next April - a month before the expected election date - families with a joint income of less than 43,500 a year will benefit.

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