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Families and Childcare
Liberal Democrats will:
Offer new mothers a Maternity Income Guarantee, equivalent to the minimum wage of £170 per week for the first 6 months after the birth of their first child, as an alternative to Statutory Maternity Pay, currently £102 per week.
Create 3,500 Children's Centres; extend pre- and after-school care to all schools (8am to 6pm) and increase nursery care for 3-4 year olds; reduce class sizes from 30 to 20 for 5-year olds and to 25 for 7-year olds.
Replace Council Tax with fair and affordable Local Income Tax, reform the tax credit system, offer tailored help for parents and young adults to find work.
Protect children's rights by introducing a rights-based Children's Commissioner and child custody arrangements according to the best interests of the child.
Protect rural family life by creating new home ownership schemes, making housing more affordable; maintain the local Post Office network.
Encourage "life-long" learning offering degree-level courses to those who qualify regardless of age.
Abolish university tuition fees, re-introduce maintenance grants up to £2,000 and re-structure courses so credits are transferable between courses, universities or periods of study.
Implement a Citizen's Pension putting over £100 more on the pension every month at 75, particularly benefiting older women.
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