In brief...: Call to boost child budget

Jul 18 2008

Cash-STRAPPED parents have been urged to boost their childcare budget by ensuring they received all the financial help entitled to them.

The Government has teamed up with money campaigner Martin Lewis to encourage parents to find out if they are missing out on potentially thousands of pounds worth of tax credits.

It comes ahead of the summer school break - a time when resources can be stretched more than ever as parents juggle a working life with looking after restless children.

Lewis has devised a four step plan to ensure that parents are not missing out. He points out that those working more than 16 hours a week can claim upto 80 per cent of their childcare costs back when they use Ofsted registered childcare.