To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to identify and address barriers to taking up formal child care by (a) low income groups, (b) lone parents, (c) workless households with two adults and (d) ethnic minorities. (177966)

DWP works closely with colleagues in the Department for Children, Schools and Families in the development of the Government’s child care strategy, to increase the supply, and improve the affordability, of formal child care for everybody, including low income groups, people in workless households and people from ethnic minorities.

In addition, Jobcentre Plus Childcare Partnership Managers are engaged with child care services at the local level to ensure that Jobcentre Plus staff are fully apprised of the issues around formal child care and developments in the local market. Advisers are then better able to advise their customers on the availability and benefits of formal child care.