North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has delivered a manifesto commitment to help parents in the region with the high cost of childcare, providing £6,800 worth of...
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has delivered a manifesto commitment to help parents in the region with the high cost of childcare, providing £6,800 worth of support.
The Mayor’s Childcare Grant will launch in this month, providing support to parents in the south of County Durham, including in Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor and Newton Aycliffe.
The grant is the first of its kind in the country to be established by an elected metro mayor and forms a key plank of the Mayor’s plan to tackle child poverty.
Despite Government extending eligibility for early years education and childcare, parents and carers can face a significant outlay to fund childcare to move into work, or limited support towards their childcare costs if undertaking training.
The grant aims to bridge that gap, and will provide up to £6800 in support, prioritising single parents with at least one child under five.
It will support parents who are unemployed, in training or wanting to increase their working hours to allow them to access Government funded childcare for working families. The funding aims to be straightforward to navigate and can be used flexibly to cover costs, such as meals and nappies which are often chargeable whilst in childcare.
Around 118,000 babies, children and young people in the North East Combined Authority area live in poverty, two thirds of which are in a family with at least one parent or carer in work. Single parent families and families with under-5s are disproportionately affected by poverty in the North East.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“From day one of my term as Mayor, I’ve made it my mission to make our region the home of real opportunity, and that means tackling child poverty head on. A year on, we are delivering for parents in the North East.
“The crippling cost of childcare is holding too many families back, and that’s why we’re using our powers and investment to break down the barriers to opportunity, so parents can find work and training, and help give their children the best start in life.
“The Mayor’s Childcare Grant will be tested in Durham, reviewed to strengthen the offer and rolled out to help more parents as quickly as possible. We’re blazing a trail, using our investment to tackle the priorities that matter to local people and showing the difference we can make to families’ lives.”
Following the initial test phase in County Durham, which will be delivered by Durham County Council, the grant will be rolled out more widely across the county by the end of 2025, and the wider North East in 2026, subject to Cabinet approval.
Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council and Portfolio Holder for Education, Inclusion and Skills at the North East Combined Authority, said:
"This initiative is a vital step towards alleviating child poverty in our region. By providing essential childcare support, we are empowering parents to pursue work and training opportunities, ensuring that every child has the chance to thrive and build a brighter future."
Martyn Stenton, head of early help, inclusion and vulnerable children at Durham County Council, said: “We are committed to doing as much as we can to support families across County Durham. We are therefore delighted to be working with the North East Combined Authority to develop this new way of helping parents and carers to meet childcare costs and pursue employment and training opportunities.
“We understand the pressures families face, and this project will complement our holistic approach to supporting them at every stage of children’s lives. This includes our network of Family Hubs that offer a range of services in a safe and welcoming environment – from breastfeeding support sessions to courses for teenagers struggling with confidence and self-esteem.
“Our Fun and Food programme helps families during the school holiday periods; and we also offer a comprehensive range of courses through DurhamLearn and DurhamWorks to help parents and carers upskill and boost their job prospects.”
Professional referrals will provide access to the grants, delivered in partnership with Durham County Council, with payments made directly to childcare providers.
ENDS
Photo: North East Mayor Kim McGuinness Kim McGuinness with Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School pupils at their breakfast club in Peterlee, alongside Sarah White, Head of School.