AT a time when the labour market is tight and the birth rate is falling, politicians from all parties need to be looking at what more can be done to support working parents.

But the reality for working parents and their families is that childcare and early education are increasingly unaffordable and unavailable.

Against this backdrop it was all the more surprising to hear Conservative leadership favourite Kemi Badenoch claim that UK maternity pay is “excessive”.

The labour market in the UK, and particularly in and around Carlisle, is very tight - unemployment is low, which is fantastic, but local businesses tell me they are crying out for staff to fill existing vacancies.

That’s one of the reasons why Labour is modernising early years education and childcare, making it more widely available and accessible to working parents, so that they can take up the job opportunities that are available.

The other reason is to give all children the best possible start. It’s not right that a higher percentage of children in London meet the expected Key Stage 2 standard in reading, writing and maths, than in the north-west.

Growing brains need good nutrition to thrive, which is why the government will fund breakfast clubs in primary school.

Many of Carlisle’s schools already have breakfast clubs, but these aren’t fully-funded and the hours are shorter than parents and children need. This government will change that.

At the other end of the age range, local employers also tell me the current arrangements for apprenticeships don’t quite work.

I was therefore delighted by the announcement of a new growth and skills levy, which will replace the existing apprenticeship levy and include new foundation apprenticeships.

The new apprenticeships will give young people a route in to careers in critical sectors, and the new levy will also allow funding for shorter apprenticeships, giving learners and employers greater flexibility.

All of this is about unlocking the potential of children, young people and their parents, and creating - not limiting - opportunity.