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| Bringing up children is one of the most rewarding things you can do in life but juggling the competing demands of work and family life – especially when your children are young – can be a real struggle. |
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| I know from the working parents I speak to in the towns and villages of Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and Needham Market the difficulties that can arise. I am determined to do all I can to help them achieve a better balance in their lives. |
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| That’s why I am committed to increasing the choices available to Suffolk parents by making support for childcare far more flexible than it is today. I believe my Party’s proposals will be of real practical benefit to many families in our local area. |
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| Since 1997, there has been an estimated 22 per cent fall in playgroup and pre-school places, and a 24 per cent fall in childminder places. Partly as a result, Britain now has the most expensive childcare in Europe. Labour have let us down again. |
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| UNDER NEW CONSERVATIVE PLANS, A QUARTER OF A MILLION PARENTS WILL RECEIVE UP TO £50 PER WEEK FOR EVERY CHILD UNDER 5, REGARDLESS OF WHAT TYPE OF CHILDCARE THEY USE. |
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| The first few months after a baby’s birth are often the most stressful for parents. Many parents want to stay at home for the first six months but cannot because maternity pay is simply not enough cover their costs. SO MY PARTY WILL NOT ONLY INCREASE MATERNITY PAY BY £1,400, BUT ALSO ALLOW FAMILIES TO CONCENTRATE THE PAYMENTS OVER A SIX-MONTH PERIOD. I BELIEVE THIS WILL BE OF REAL BENEFIT TO LOCAL PARENTS. |
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| I know how greatly grandparents are valued by local families and the vital support they provide. For this reason I am determined to help grandparents become registered childminders by creating a new, specially tailored course. |
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| FOR MANY PARENTS, WORKPLACE NURSERIES ARE THE BEST OPTION. SO A CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT WILL SUPPORT COMPANIES WHO PROVIDE NEW NURSERY PLACES FOR THEIR STAFF WITH £10,000 START-UP GRANTS. COMPANIES ON BUSINESS PARKS AND COMMERCIAL CENTRES WILL BE ABLE TO GROUP TOGETHER TO PROVIDE NEW NURSERIES IN THE WORKPLACE. |
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| By 2009, thanks to the savings we will make by cutting out waste and our planned increases in the schools budget, we will be investing an extra £500 million to help families with their childcare. |
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| These are practical proposals that I believe will improve the lives of local families and provide a better future for the children they are bringing up. |
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