BASINGSTOKE MP Maria Miller has welcomed the news that respite care and shortbreaks for disabled children can be paid for through the Government's new tax-free childcare scheme.

Maria Miller said: “I recently met Basingstoke families who have disabled children at Kidz nursery. They talked about their own experiences of getting into work and set out the additional support many families with disabled children need to enable parents to get into work and stay in work.

“I took these concerns direct to Minister Priti Patel and I am delighted that the Government will ensure shortbreaks and respite care can be paid for tax-free and that the extra childcare costs for disabled children will also be taken into account.

“This package of support will make a real difference to many families with disabled children."