Employers' organisation the CBI today called on the government to extend the 15 free hours of childcare currently offered to three- and four-year-olds to all one- and two-year-olds; lengthen maternity pay entitlement to one year; and raise the NI threshold.
It says that average families - who've seen their income fall by £2,132 a year in real terms between 2009 and 2013 - have borne the brunt of the financial crisis and the slow recovery, and that these measures will boost family incomes and get more adults into work.
Would this make a substantial difference to your family finances? Do you agree that the government should step in to help families? Do share your thoughts on the thread.