CHILDCARE for London's poorest families is to be expanded after a £33million fund was unveiled.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone and Minister for Children, Margaret Hodge MP, today announced details of the London Childcare Affordability Programme which will fund "innovative methods" to ensure access to high quality affordable childcare for more families in London.

Mr Livingstone said: "This is important for thousands of families across London. Funding is now in place which will ensure that more families will have access to fulltime day-care - this could be the equivalent of an extra £1, 500 a year for some families. There will also be much-needed flexible childcare for part-time workers."

The programme announced will be targeted on the most disadvantaged families in London to enable parents on low incomes to stay in, or return to, employment.

London has the highest rates of child poverty in the country, with 38 per cent of all children living in poverty.

In Inner London this rises to 54 per cent of children.

Minister for Children Margaret Hodge added: "The government's ten year childcare strategy sets out a long term vision to revolutionise childcare for parents and children across the country - and these London pilots are a key part of that drive.

"Already the Government has made childcare more affordable for many through the tax credit system, but there is more to be done. By contributing £11 million to this joint programme with GLA and the London Development Agency, the Government is recognising the real need to provide affordable, flexible childcare in London."