The UK-wide inquiry will look at how suitable and affordable childcare can be provided for all parents who need it to enable them to work. Areas to be covered will include:
* the full extent of regional variations of both availability and cost in accessing childcare, and whether area-based initiatives are the best way forward to ensure adequate childcare provision for families where parents are unemployed.
* whether or not the childcare tax credit is working, if it is the best way to provide help with childcare costs for those on low incomes and what can be done to boost its take-up.
* whether the additional funding provided by the 2002 spending review is enough to ensure sufficient childcare to enable the Government's targets on both child poverty and lone parents to be met.
* whether employers should do more to help with childcare for their employees.
* whether parents should be given more financial assistance to use their network of family and friends to provide informal childcare so they can work.
* whether the needs of specific groups, such as shiftworkers, teenage parents, minority ethnic children and disabled children, are being met; and the effect on the number of childcare places by parents wanting to care for their children themselves.
* whether the provision and funding of childcare places takes into account the need for 'wraparound care'.
The committee, which is chaired by Archy Kirkwood, Liberal Democrat MP for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, expects to hold oral evidence sessions in the spring.
Inquiry submissions should be sent to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA (phone 020 7219 5833/5832, fax 020 7219 0580 or e-mail to workpencom@parliament.ukby 12 February).
