Terry Rooney for Bradford East

As part of USDAW's "Supporting Parents Spotlight Day" Terry Rooney recently met parents and carers and their families who have benefitted from Labour's policies on:

- Tax Credits

- Paid Maternity Leave

- Sure Start

He met Nikita (6) and Dhruv (3) whose mother Nanita said:

Both of my children, Dhruv and Nikita, have benefited from the Labour Government's provision of free part-time nursery places.  I think this is a wonderful thing.  I don't need to worry about the kids when I go to work and it has really helped to make childcare affordable for me and my husband.  It has meant that I can afford to go back to work!   Child Benefit is also a big help and is guaranteed to reach every family with children ... like thousands of families we've come to rely on it.  We're delighted that the Labour Government have pledged their continued support for Child Benefit

Terry also met Ruth and her sons Daniel (8 months) Matty (3) and nephew Bruno (4) who talked about the nine months maternity leave and the free nursery places introduced by the Labour Government:

"The nine months paid maternity leave introduced by Labour has made a real difference to me and my baby Daniel.  I remember when my two older children were born in the mid 1990's under a Tory Government - maternity leave was only 14 weeks long and paid at less than £60 a week.  I felt my time with my babies was cut short and that we both missed out as a result.  Thanks to Labour, this time around I've been able to spend quality time with Daniel that we've both enjoyed and benefited from." 

"Matty spends 3 days a week at nursery and  the free 10 hours a week has made a big difference.  It has enabled us to keep Matty at nursery whilst I have been on maternity leave and that has meant he has kept up his friendships and has given him stability.  It has also given me some one to one time with baby Daniel which is very important to us."

Rebecca also talked about the importance to her of having nine months paid maternity leave:

My baby is due at the end of April this year.  I will be taking the full nine months paid maternity leave as I did with my first child, Harry who is now 2 years old.  Having nine months off with my baby is so important.  I wouldn't want to go back to work before this as I'd worry s/he was too young to leave.  Tax Credits help me to pay for childcare for Harry.  Without Tax Credits, I honestly think I couldn't afford to return to work and work is important to me.  The Health in Pregnancy Grant wasn't around when Harry was born.  I'm delighted the Labour Government has introduced it.  It really helps at what is a particularly difficult time as far as money is concerned.  We've bought a double pushchair with the money!

For more information about the USDAW campaign, click here