Extra Help For Parents With Disabled Children Desperately Needed

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st May 2007

Commenting on today's Government announcement of extra funding to help families with disabled children, local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt, said: "This extra funding is desperately needed to help provide the specialist childcare families with disabled children need, but I fear it will not be enough.

"The Government introduced key measures in the Childcare Act but failed to provide enough money for Worcestershire County Council to fully deliver on that promise.

"Families including children with disabilities often suffer considerable hardship, so specialist childcare is essential to give parents the opportunity to continue in work.

"Moves to improve respite care are very welcome as the shortage of this important help has to be the number one issue facing families across the county with disabled children.

"Local parents are on duty 24/7, and often reach breaking point if they do not have anyone to turn to for support."