Wandsworth has been given £1m to help low income and unemployed parents back to work by subsidising childcare.

The boost comes after figures released from the Department of Communities and Local Government showed in 2007 Wandsworth had 12,235 income support claimants, but just 7,400 childcare places.

Neighbouring Merton had 5,495 income support claimants but had 5,200 childcare places.

The money is part of £12m given to London councils by Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London.

The Mayor’s Childcare Affordability Programme is part of a wider pilot scheme offering eligible parents, who must be out of work and living in a household with an income below £20,000, a subsidy.

Londoners pay, on average, 25 per cent more for childcare than parents living elsewhere in England, the Mayor’s office said, which is a significant barrier for parents from low-income families, particularly mothers, wanting to return to or enter into employment.

Mr Johnson said: “For many families in Wandsworth the high cost of living is a real struggle, with expensive childcare a major obstacle to finding or taking up work.

It makes absolutely no economic sense to let the skills and enthusiasm of these parents go to waste simply because they can’t find affordable, quality childcare.”

Everyone taking part will receive help over a 12-month period as they make the transition from unemployment to work.

For more information call the Greater London Authority on 020 7983 4100.

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