Grant trialled for 'crippling cost of childcare'
North East Combined AuthorityA funding trial aimed at helping parents cope with the "crippling cost of childcare" has been announced by the North East mayor.
Families in the south of County Durham will be able to apply for up to £6,800 later this month.
Single parents with at least one child under five will be prioritised for the scheme, which aims to help them return to work or increase their working hours.
Labour Mayor Kim McGuinness said the childcare grant would be "tested in Durham, reviewed to strengthen the offer and rolled out to help more parents as quickly as possible".
While initially concentrating on areas including Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor and Newton Aycliffe, the scheme is expected to be made available to other parts of Durham later this year.
The aim is to extend it across the North East Combined Authority (NECA) area in 2026.
The NECA said the money could be used flexibly to pay for things like meals and nappies, and the maximum amount could be used over a six-month period.
Those eligible would be identified by professionals working with families, including childcare providers and the local authority.
McGuinness said: "The crippling cost of childcare is holding too many families back."
Council changes
About 118,000 babies, children and young people across Durham, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear are thought to live in poverty, two thirds of which are in a family with at least one parent or carer in work, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
All seven local authorities that make up the NECA were invited to put their area forward to take part in the initial trial.
The bids were evaluated based on a number of factors, including poverty indicators and availability of childcare, with Durham being successful.
Martyn Stenton, head of early help, inclusion and vulnerable children at Durham County Council, said it was "delighted" to help offer the scheme.
The announcement comes 12 months after McGuinness took office, and just days after Labour was left with four councillors on Durham County Council, after Reform UK took control of the local authority in last week's election.