A Hampshire MP today welcomed Governement plans to introduce tax-free childcare.

From Autumn 2015, the Government will meet 20 per cent of childcare costs for working families.

When fully implemented, tax-free childcare will be worth up to £1,200 every year for each child under age 12.

This will save a typical working family with two children under 12 up to £2,400 a year.

Speaking after the announcement, Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage  said: “This is a boost direct to the pockets of hard-working families and will hugely benefit parents across the Gosport peninsula who are desperate to get back to work, but are put off by costly childcare services.

"It shows that the Government is committed to helping families make ends meet.”

The new system will be phased in from 2015, with children under five helped in the first year.

The scheme will then build up over time to include all children under the age of 12.