The next Labour government will deliver an additional 50,000 childcare places, and increase paternity leave and pay.
Labour candidate for Hitchin & Harpenden, Rachel Burgin, said the commitment would tackle the shortage of childcare places and give families more choice about how they manage work and care.
“Under the Tories, the cost of childcare has risen by 30 per cent – faster than pay,” Rachel Burgin said.
“Since 2010, 720 Sure Start children’s centres have also been lost, and there are over 40,000 fewer childcare places across the country.”
Labour will deliver more childcare places by making sure that children’s centres are using their buildings either to offer childcare directly, or by allowing local providers to use their premises.
Labour will also double paid paternity leave from two weeks to four weeks, and increase paternity pay by more than £100 a week to over £250 a week.
“Labour has a better plan for a better future,” Rachel Burgin said.
“We’ll take pressure off families facing the cost of living crisis by increasing the minimum wage to £8 an hour, freeze energy bills until 2017, and also extend free childcare for working parents of three- and four-year-olds to 25 hours a week.
“Labour will also invest in an NHS with the time to care, with 20,000 more nurses and 8,000 more doctors so everyone can get the care they need, when they need it.
“Only Labour will build a better, fairer Britain.”