 Declan asks: why is childcare such a hot topic |
Breakfast's Declan Curry was danger of being left holding the baby this morning.
As part of our special election coverage, he headed for Weston Super Mare this morning, to look at the issue of childcare.
For many years, working parents were left to make whatever arrangements they could for their children; they were given precious little help with finding childcare or paying for it.
Now, it seems, politicians are almost falling over themselves to heap praise and help on what they're calling "hard working families"
This morning, Declan Curry reported live from a playgroup in Weston Super Mare.
He heard from parents about the juggling act they perform to keep their professional lives going in parallel with their home life.
And, he talked to one small business woman who freely admits that she only employs women in their late fifties, so they won't have children.
We asked for your comments and we had dozens of e-mails and text messages. Nearly all of them were critical of working mothers and state subsidies for childcare. Perhaps those of you with children to get ready for school or nursery don't have time to e-mail us?
This is briefly what the three parties are promising families:
Conservatives: Paid maternity leave extended to 9 months, or higher pay for 6 months; �50/wk childcare subsidies for all with children under 5.
Labour: universal, affordable and flexible" childcare for parents of all 3 to 14 year-olds; a Sure Start children's centre in every area; extend maternity pay from 6 to 9 months, allowing fathers to share it if necessary. Liberal Democrats: maternity pay of �170 per week for first 6 months; create 3,700 children's centres for pre-school education; extend after- school care; scrap the Child Support Agency.
You can find out more about Breakfast's plans to cover the General Election
You can also keep up to date with the progress of the video voters who are sharing their views with us throughout the campaign
And we'd like to hear from you. Use this form to e-mail your thoughts on the electionDo the parties' promises on childcare stack up? Or would the money they're promising for nursery places and After School Clubs be better spent elsewhere? You can use this form to e-mail your views direct to the Breakfast inbox.The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.
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watch Declan Curry's election issues corner from Weston Super Mare 
