British government expands access to free childcare

British Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls said the extra hours of free childcare could be used to help parents and carers train or gain employment and are part of the British government's commitment to eradicate child poverty by 2020.

    British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the move is an important part of the government's continued expansion of childcare services.

    Brown said "I strongly believe that children deserve the very best start in life. That is why I am so pleased that from this week, parents of two year olds from disadvantaged families across the country will now have access to free childcare. This is an important part of the government's continued expansion of childcare services for young families."

    Children's Secretary Balls visited a children's center in Hackney, a borough of London this morning to launch a campaign designed to raise awareness among all families with young children of the services available to them.

    The British government also announced 26-million-pound (41.6 million U.S. dollars) funding for Book trust, an independent national charity from 2009-2011. The funding included 18 million pounds (28.8 million dollars) for around 12 million books for 0-3 year olds, Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.chianview.cn for full version.