Judith Cochrane MLA said: “I would like to pass on my congratulations to Employers for Childcare Charitable Group on their business award. As a working mum, I know myself the issues that parents face in meeting childcare costs which can be £40 per child per day, and the Employers for Childcare Voucher Scheme saves both parents and employers thousands of pounds each year.
“Employers for Childcare are a great example of how Social Enterprises can contribute to the creation of community-based jobs and to assist in economic recovery and I hope that this award will encourage other people to get involved in social enterprises.
“With the Welfare Reform changes it is imperative that we do all we can to support working parents and the Childcare Voucher Scheme goes someway to doing this, however this does not take away from the need for the Executive to publish the long awaited childcare strategy. I recently asked an Assembly Question on this, but the First and deputy First Minister could only confirm that a consultation document would be sent on in the near future. I am sure that many parents would welcome much more urgency on this matter.”