Childcare boost for thousands

More than 42,000 families in the north and north-east will qualify for help with the cost of looking after their children as part of a new UK Government scheme.

Under the plans for tax-free childcare, set out yesterday on the eve of the Budget, eligible families will receive up £1,200 a year towards care for each youngster.

The £1billion initiative, which will replace the existing employer-supported programme, will not come into effect until 2015.

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