Budget 2008: Grants to encourage contact with children's centres
Cathy Wallace
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Childcare charity the Daycare Trust has welcomed Alistair Darling's first Budget, including the decision to continue to fund London's Childcare Affordability Programme.
Joint chief executive Alison Garnham also praised the announcement of £200 Child Development Grants to help encourage contact with children's centres.
"This takes an important step towards improving the life chances of the most disadvantaged children," she said.
Darling also announced increases in child benefit, to £20 per week, and tax credits. The government has pledged a further £125m over the next three years to help families.
Garnham said: "Increases in child benefit and tax credits are a crucial development and should help towards meeting the 2010 child poverty target."
However, she added: "As members of the Campaign to End Child Poverty we urge the government to go further and faster on this."
"This takes an important step towards improving the life chances of the most disadvantaged children," she said.
Darling also announced increases in child benefit, to £20 per week, and tax credits. The government has pledged a further £125m over the next three years to help families.
Garnham said: "Increases in child benefit and tax credits are a crucial development and should help towards meeting the 2010 child poverty target."
However, she added: "As members of the Campaign to End Child Poverty we urge the government to go further and faster on this."
