Concerns have been raised that new childcare plans announced by the Government could further disadvantage North East families.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt used his spring Budget to unveil major changes to childcare which will see free hours extended to children aged between nine months and two years old by September 2025.
But campaigners say the requirement for all parents to be working at least 16 hours to access 30 hours free childcare could "lock out" North East families.
