LOCAL MP Rachel Gilmour is calling for more nursery and pre-school spaces to ensure parents benefit from free Government childcare.

The Government has doubled free childcare available to eligible working parents across England from 15 to 30 hours for youngsters aged under two years.

The Department for Education said the ‘major expansion’ had the potential to save families ‘up to £7,500 per child’.

However, Mrs Gilmour had concerns about a lack of childcare provision in communities across her Tiverton and Minehead constituency, which covers West Somerset, some parishes neighbouring Wellington, and parts of the Culm Valley and Blackdown Hills.

Mrs Gilmour said it was a particular issue for those areas which could be set for further housing expansion.

Statistics for Cotford St Luke showed in 2023 there was the equivalent of 14 childcare places per 100 children aged up to seven years, while in neighbouring Bishops Lydeard it was 17 places per 100, both considerably lower than the England average of 25.

Lovell Homes was recently given planning permission to build another 80 houses in Cotford St Luke, and Cavanna Homes has published plans for 130 more homes in Bishops Lydeard.

Mrs Gilmour, said: “As much as I welcome the next stage of the Government’s new childcare rollout, unfortunately, a lack of providers and places means some parents and families will not be able to fully benefit from their free childcare entitlement.

“Up to £7,500 would be a massive saving for so many families.

“I have heard from constituents who are forced to travel to neighbouring towns and villages for childcare, which is such a burden on parents who already have busy lives.

“The fact that villages like Bishops Lydeard and Cotford St Luke could be set for further expansion indicates there is a serious need for more childcare places to support their growing local communities.”