Parents in the south of County Durham will be the first to get access to a new grant to help with the “crippling” cost of childcare.
Families in areas like Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor and Newton Aycliffe will be able to apply for up to £6,800 under a new programme being launched by North East mayor Kim McGuinness.
Her Mayor’s Childcare Grant, will open as a test project in County Durham later this month, is intended to help more parents who want to get into work or increase their working hours but would face major childcare costs in order to do so.
The North East Combined Authority (NECA) said that the money would be prioritised to single parents with at least one child under five and that it could be used flexibly to pay for things like meals and nappies, which are often chargeable whilst in childcare.
The test phase of the grant project will be delivered by Durham County Council and the scheme is expected to be rolled out more widely across the council this year, before being extended more widely around the North East in 2026.
North East Major comment
Ms McGuinness, who had promised to launch a childcare grant in her election manifesto as part of a flagship pledge to end child poverty in the region, said: “From day one of my term as mayor, I’ve made it my mission to make our region the home of real opportunity, and that means tackling child poverty head on. A year on, we are delivering for parents in the North East.
“The crippling cost of childcare is holding too many families back, and that’s why we’re using our powers and investment to break down the barriers to opportunity, so parents can find work and training, and help give their children the best start in life.
“The Mayor’s Childcare Grant will be tested in Durham, reviewed to strengthen the offer and rolled out to help more parents as quickly as possible. We’re blazing a trail, using our investment to tackle the priorities that matter to local people and showing the difference we can make to families’ lives.”
Around 118,000 babies, children and young people across Durham, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear are thought to live in poverty, two thirds of which are in a family with at least one parent or carer in work.
The Labour mayor’s announcement comes 12 months after she took office, following the historic election in May 2024, and just days after the dramatic local elections which saw Reform seize control of Durham County Council.
Durham County Council member comment
Martyn Stenton, head of early help, inclusion and vulnerable children at Durham County Council, said: “We are committed to doing as much as we can to support families across County Durham. We are therefore delighted to be working with the North East Combined Authority to develop this new way of helping parents and carers to meet childcare costs and pursue employment and training opportunities.
“We understand the pressures families face, and this project will complement our holistic approach to supporting them at every stage of children’s lives. This includes our network of Family Hubs that offer a range of services in a safe and welcoming environment – from breastfeeding support sessions to courses for teenagers struggling with confidence and self-esteem.
“Our Fun and Food programme helps families during the school holiday periods; and we also offer a comprehensive range of courses through DurhamLearn and DurhamWorks to help parents and carers upskill and boost their job prospects.”
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