Councillor Claire Hanna has called on OFMDFM to ensure that no local families are left worse off by the proposed scrapping of the Childcare Vouchers scheme for working parents.
Claire said “The coalition government in London are cancelling the scheme and replacing it with a complicated tax system which will leave many families here worse off. I’m calling on the Office of First and Deputy First Minister to not just “cut and paste” the legislation to NI, but to amend it to ensure no one here loses the modest but critical savings the current scheme provides. OFMDFM should bring forward a Childcare Strategy with tangible help for working families, many of whom are paying a huge portion of their wages to fund good quality childcare. OFMDFM have a budget of £1m allocated to childcare but have never bothered to spend it. Keeping this scheme will help tackle gender inequality in the workplace and reduce in-work poverty”
Claire has also welcomed the launch of the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ scheme supported by Belfast City Council. City Hall and also other council venues have committed to offering a place for Mums to breastfeed when out and about.
Claire said “Getting out and about is important for the health of new Mums but feeding on the go can be daunting. Providing this support will help to promote and normalise breastfeeding. I commend all the local cafes and businesses who have joined the scheme and encourage others to sign up and get a certificate to display in their window saying that they welcome mums, however they choose to feed”