Osborne visits nursery to promote childcare voucher initiative

The Conservative MP paid a visit to the Daisy Day Nursery in Llanishen, Cardiff.

He spoke with mothers and fathers about his recent Budget, which featured a package to subsidise a portion of childcare costs.

Under the £1bn scheme, as many as 2.5 million families will be able to claim vouchers.

But the proposals will only apply to couples where both parents are working or a single parent who is in employment.

Mr Osborne chatted with a group of parents at the day care centre – asking them about their individual circumstances and what kind of support they needed before speaking to reporters.

The Chancellor insisted the UK Government was treating ordinary working families fairly despite its public spending cuts and changes to the welfare system.

He said: “Well we’ve taken child benefit off the richest 15 per cent of the UK population and what we are introducing instead is tax-free childcare for the whole population.

“Many working families here in Wales, who don’t get much support for their childcare, will be able to claim up to £1,200 towards the cost of their childcare. That is a huge support for people across the country.”

From autumn 2015, working parents will be able to claim vouchers to subsidise childcare or nannies for every child under the age of five.

It is expected the scheme will be extended to all children under 12 by 2020.

It will allow parents or guardians to claim up to £1,200 for each young child – and will not have to pay basic rate tax on the first £6,000 they spend on childcare.