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Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, responds to a survey by the Family and Childcare Trust on holiday childcare costs.

“Since last September, councils and providers have been delivering the Government’s commitment to an additional 15 hours of free childcare for working parents, bringing the total to 30 hours.

“Some providers may choose to stretch this provision across the full year where there is demand and capacity to do so, which will help families of young children with holiday childcare costs. Councils are already working with families and providers to identify what families in their local areas need, and how providers can meet those needs.

“While reductions in government grants mean that councils find it increasingly difficult to provide their own affordable childcare schemes, they are working closely with local providers and the community to support families in need of holiday childcare. This includes working with schools to open their facilities, encouraging private and independent providers to offer more affordable schemes, and working with local businesses to encourage them to offer more flexible hours for mums, dads and carers.”