19 March 2005
"It all seems very positive"
By Melanie Homes
Working mother Karen Davies, who lives in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, was pleased to see the Chancellor giving more support to families with children.
Dr Davies, 37, a paediatrician at the New Cross hospital in Wolverhampton, and her husband, James, a cardiologist, have two sons, Thomas, two and a half, and Alex, 11 months. They employ a nanny, Katie Sullivan, to look after their children as they feel this form of childcare is best for their family circumstances.
Dr Davies said: "I work very long hours and so it is more convenient and reliable than a creche. The children are in a home environment and Katie is more like a member of the family."
The couple use the payroll service Nannytax, which administers paperwork – including National Insurance contributions – involved in employing a nanny. Dr Davies said: "We are lucky in that we are not a low-income family but anything that the Government can do for families is a good thing.
''As from April this year, we can apply to get child care vouchers under the child care approval scheme and we will not pay tax on them."
Pleased to hear that paid maternity leave will rise to one year, Dr Davies said: "I think that is great. It would not have been significant for me because I felt that I had to get back to work. If you have the choice, that is really good. It all seems very positive."
© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2005.