Extra help for parents with disabled children desperately needed - Brooke

Commenting on today's Government announcement of extra funding to help families with disabled children, Liberal Democrat Children and Family Spokesperson, Annette Brooke MP said:

"This extra funding is desperately needed to help provide the specialist childcare that families with disabled children need, but I fear it will not be enough.

"The Government introduced key measures in the Childcare Act but failed to provide enough money for the local authorities to deliver on that promise.

"Families with children with disabilities are often living in poverty so specialist childcare is essential to give parents the opportunity to go back to work.

"Moves to improve respite care are very welcome as the shortage of this important help has to be the number one issue facing families with disabled children.

"These parents are on duty 24/7, and often reach breaking point if they do not have anyone to turn to for support."