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<p>In addition to the support that the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
for Children and Families (Nadhim Zahawi), my hon. Friend for Stratford-on-Avon referred
to in the Answer of 23 July to Question 278350, my department’s Holiday Activities
and Food programme is exploring ways to help disadvantaged children access free holiday
club provision over the summer holidays, in 11 local authority areas, including Birmingham.</p><p>This
summer, we have awarded £9.1 million to 11 organisations to explore how the funding
and coordination of free holiday club provision at a local level can help more disadvantaged
children access provision for free, and support providers to improve their offer.
With this money, around 50,000 disadvantaged children and their parents will be able
to access free holiday club provision, including a healthy meal and enriching activities.</p><p>The
government provides a significant package of childcare support to parents and carers.
All 3 and 4 year olds and the most disadvantaged 2 year olds are entitled to receive
15 hours a week of early education for 38 weeks a year. Since 2017, working parents
of 3 year olds and 4 year olds have been able to access an additional 15 hours of
early education a week, bringing their total to 30 hours a week. The 30 hours policy
is worth up to £5,000 a year to families and, since its introduction, around 600,000
children have benefitted. Childcare providers can offer these entitlements stretched
across the whole year so that they cover the school holidays.</p><p>In addition, tax-free
childcare was introduced in 2017 to support families with the costs of childcare for
0 to 12 year olds. For every £8 that parents pay into an online account, the government
will pay £2 - up to a maximum contribution of £2,000 per child each year - for children
aged up to 12. Working parents in receipt of Universal Credit can also claim back
up to 85% of eligible childcare costs through Universal Credit for children up to
the age of 16, subject to a monthly limit of £646 for one child or £1108 for 2 or
more children. This will make sure that work pays for families on a low income.</p><p>The
government also recently announced an extra £2.5 million next year to help schools
open up their facilities at weekends and over the holidays as part of the School Sport
Action Plan.</p><p> </p>
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