Ian Austin – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Austin on 2014-06-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department has taken to help its employees who use on-site nurseries to find alternative childcare when these close from September 2014.

Mike Penning

The following steps have been taken to support DWP employees affected by the on site nursery closures:

– At least six months notice of the closures given to users of the nurseries, in order to give them sufficient time to find a suitable alternative place. All contract expiry dates coincide with the beginning of the new school year to minimise disruption for parents and children as much as possible.

– Employees have been provided with information regarding the DWP salary sacrifice scheme, where employees can give up part of their salary in return for childcare vouchers. This allows for savings through tax relief and gives parents support in order to make their own choices for childcare.

– Information, on other nurseries in their local areas, has been provided to parents

– DWP has awarded one day’s paid special leave to give parents paid time off work to find an alternative place.