http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news/article/free-childcare-scheme-opens-for-unemployed-parents

Parents from low-income families are being invited to apply for free childcare as part of a £75m scheme to get more unemployed people into training and learning.

The Learning and Skills Council initiative is giving 50,000 parents in England up to £175 a week per child (£215 in London), while an adviser will help adults enrol on a course of their choice.

To be eligible, families must have an annual household income of £20,000 or less, a child under 14, and one partner in work.

For those with disabilities, the qualifying age for young people is 18 and under. Courses available could range from a short refresher in maths to a more formal qualification in subjects like social care or teaching.

The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (Niace) welcomed the initiative.

Mandy Thomas, senior project officer for family learning at Niace, said: ‘There are lots of benefits for families when parents and carers start learning. As well as improving skills and employment prospects, it generates a family culture of learning.’