Working parents in Southampton Itchen are used to making sacrifices for their family. But sometimes they’re forced into decisions that just don’t make sense.

Like mothers who have to turn down one opportunity after another to get on with her career once they’ve had their child. Childcare just costing too much. Women who want to work, but the frustrating truth was that they just couldn’t afford to.

I got into politics to make a difference for those parents and those children. To back mums and dads in Southampton Itchen who want to work hard and get on. To give every child growing up here the best start in life.

So I’m delighted that this week the largest expansion of childcare in this country’s history reaches new heights, thanks to this Labour government.

Against all odds, from this term we’re on track for over half a million families to get access to 30 hours of government-funded childcare per week. That’s a promise made and a promise delivered from Labour.

This government’s getting on and delivering a key milestone in our Plan for Change to unlock opportunities for every child, whatever their background.

That’s testament to the hard work of nurseries and childminders in Southampton Itchen, and a critical step in Labour’s mission to give every child the best start in life. We’ve also been working with schools to expand nursery provision, with new school-based nurseries at St Mary’s COE and Valentine Primary Schools helping to make more nursery places available locally.

It hasn’t been easy, given what we encountered when we took office: the Tories left behind a pledge without a plan – not enough places, not enough staff and precious little time to put it right.

The idea that you could get a childcare place as easily as a primary school place just a couple of years ago would have been the stuff of dreams, but with Labour, times are changing.

Over 9 in 10 parents are getting their preferred childcare place, that’s nearly on par with the success rate parents see getting primary school places.

With this new support, this Labour government is putting up to £7,500 a year back in Southampton parents’ pockets. That’s delivering savings that can go towards shopping, a holiday, or paying off a mortgage, where previously childcare was either unaffordable or out of reach.

But it’s not just about money saved on nursery fees. It’s about choices.

The local parents who can make the choice to go back to work or up their hours, building a successful career while saving money on nursery fees. The grandparents saving time and money, no longer having to spend so much on petrol to help with fetching and carrying.

But Labour’s not stopping here. This childcare is both a milestone and a launchpad. We’re stepping up our support for working families through our Best Start in Life campaign. Through Best Start Family Hubs, we’re bringing together trusted information, guidance and support, all in one place – making parenting easier.

And that support will be more available than ever, at the edge of your fingertip, through our new BestStartinLife.gov.uk website.

We’re saving Southampton parents money when your children reach school too. From rolling out free breakfast clubs in every primary school, to the biggest ever expansion in free school meals eligibility, this Labour government is serious about supporting working parents.

But it’s not just change for parents; it’s change for our country too. Hundreds of thousands of parents can crack on with their careers and boost economic growth. Their talent and hard work will get our economy moving again.

Our childcare offer backs parents and boosts growth. But at heart it’s about children – giving them the very best start in life.

That’s what real change looks like – the kind that is felt in family budgets and children’s futures.