Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what childcare facilities his Department makes available for staff; how much his Department spent (a) overall and (b) per child on those childcare facilities in the last year; and how many staff members use those childcare facilities.

The Cabinet Office do support the provision of childcare facilities for employees. If staff are based in London, they can apply for a place on the Westminster Holiday Playscheme which is provided by a third party. Children aged 4 years 9 months to 12 years are eligible to attend the playscheme, which runs during school holidays. If staff are based outside London and use a playscheme close to their home, the department will help with the cost of using the playscheme as long as the supplier is registered to provide childcare services. The cost of the playscheme is shared between the department and the parent.

1. Overall expenditure on the playscheme facilities for last financial year 2016/17 totalled £2,828.00
2. The department contributed an average of £78.56 per child during financial year 16/17, with a total of 27 staff using the facilities.