Military families to save thousands of pounds a year in huge childcare offer

Armed Forces families deployed overseas are set to save thousands of pounds a year in childcare costs - with Government funding for 20 hours free a week.

It’s part of a bid to boost morale in the military, with MPs set to debate the first Armed Forces Commissioner bill on Monday.

The scheme will pay for wraparound care for hundreds of military families based abroad - with the 20 hours of funded before and after school care saving them around £3,400 a year.

The (MOD) said the move “recognises the unique challenges faced by parents serving abroad, and the increased cost of living.”

Defence Secretary John Healey said: ““We are on a mission to lift military morale and deliver on our manifesto promise to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve – from establishing a strong, independent Armed Forces Commissioner to providing the largest pay rise for personnel in decades.”

He added: “We ask our Armed Forces to make extraordinary sacrifices to defend UK interests and keep us all safe.

“We recognise the commitment of service families based abroad and that is why we are stepping up support, with the expansion of wraparound childcare set to save families thousands of pounds a year.”

The bill to be debated tomorrow aims to appoint the first ever independent champion for serving personnel and their families - as promised in ’s manifesto.

The MoD say the new post will provide a “strong, independent voice that can hold government and the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force to account.”

They will be a direct point of contact for serving personnel and their families to raise issues that impact service life, including housing and equipment.

And they will have powers to perform unannounced inspections, reporting to Parliament once a year and through one-off reports.

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“Armed Forces families deployed overseas give up so much to protect the UK and for the first time, the government is ensuring they can access the same level of support as those back home,” Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard MP said.

“The government will always stand up for the Armed Forces, and we will not rest until we have lifted military morale.

“We inherited a talented yet demoralised Armed Forces and so we are taking direct action to address this head on - ensuring their service and sacrifice are properly recognised and rewarded.”