I ABSOLUTELY don’t want to spoil the summer holidays and I’m sure it’s the last thing on many people’s minds, but it’s important to stress that when schools reopen fully in September working parents get all the help that they need. They are an integral part of our economic post-Covid fight back.

Childcare is a massive cost to parents, whether it’s nursery or school wrap around care, and I think it needs an overhaul. This has come into sharp focus now I’m an MP and a new mum.

To help, the government announced a boost for parents to ensure they do not lose out on government childcare support as a result of coronavirus due to any temporary disruption to incomes.

Usually a worker needs to earn at least £140 a week, but during the pandemic, this has been waived until 31 October. If you are currently on universal credit, you can claim up to 85% of your childcare costs. An extensive number of people who are eligible for tax free childcare do not apply (as high as 90%) and I urge everyone to look to see if they can claim. For every £8 paid towards childcare - including nurseries, nannies, summer holiday clubs etc, the government tops it up by £2. It is worth up to £2,000 a year for each child, or £4,000 for a disabled child.

In addition, wrap around care at schools is also something we must try and get back to normal as soon as possible. Breakfast and tea clubs enable parents to get to work and stay there, and are vital.

On another subject, constituents have written to me to express their support for the people of Beirut following the devastating explosion.

The Government has already confirmed £25m emergency aid to support those made homeless in the blast, including medical and food help, air assistance and engineering and communications support. My thoughts are with all the victims and their loved ones.