100% rates relief for childcare providers in Wales

100% rates relief for childcare providers in Wales

Local Assembly Member Mike Hedges AM has welcomed the Welsh Labour Government’s announcement that Children’s day nurseries in Wales will be exempt from paying non-domestic rates from April 2019.

The Welsh Government has announced they will provide all registered childcare properties with 100% rates relief.

The scheme will provide an estimated £7.5m of additional support to childcare providers over three years. Its impact will be reviewed.

Enhancing childcare provision across Wales is a major priority for the Welsh Government.

The announcement follows the news that thousands children including in Swansea Council area already benefiting from Welsh Government-funded childcare offer

Mike Hedges AM said: “I am delighted that so many children and their families have benefited from Welsh Labours transformative childcare offer.”

“It’s allowing parents to either take-up or return to work – which is not only good for our local economy in Swansea East economy, but it’s also reducing strain on family incomes.”

“It important that we support childcare providers to deliver.  When I have met with them rate relief has often been raised and I am glad the Welsh Government are listening”

“This announcement will help to create new childcare jobs and help to create new and maintain existing childcare places across Wales.”

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The Welsh Government’s programme for government, Taking Wales Forward, commits Ministers to providing 30 hours of government-funded early education and childcare for working parents of three and four year olds, 48 weeks of the year. The offer is currently available in half of local authorities and will be available across the whole of Wales by 2020.

The childcare sector generates an estimated £1.2bn for the Welsh economy. In recognition of the sector’s economic role and in supporting the delivery of the childcare offer, Welsh Government Ministers are prioritising investment to support growth across the sector. This investment is being developed as bespoke business and skills assistance.