New tax credit support for Oldham familes

UNIVERSAL Credit is now available for families in Oldham with the aim of giving parents more support with childcare costs.

Couples with children and lone parents can now claim Universal Credit in 26 more areas across the country, including Oldham.

Parents will be able to claim back 70 per cent of childcare costs, no matter how many hours they work - on top of money to help bring up a child, such as child benefit.

This will rise to 85 per cent in 2016 because childcare support is increasing by £350million within Universal Credit.

Universal Credit is a single monthly payment to replace six previous benefits.