Parents to protest against HMRC nursery closures

Union bosses have announced parents and children are due to protest today - against plans by HM Revenue and Customs to close its eight workplace nurseries, including a centre in Yorkshire.

The PCS union say the nurseries are popular, affordable and of a good quality, and receive no subsidy from HMRC. They are used mostly by HMRC staff, but some also care for children from local families.

While the facilities are run by a private company, the decision to shut them from November has been taken by the department.

Parents say the closure would leave them without enough time to find alternative childcare. Unions claim many mums and dads have said they would have to reduce their hours, give up work or end up paying much more.

One of the eight affected workplaces is in Leeds. The others are based in Blackburn, Cardiff, East Kilbride, Leicester, Nottingham, Salford and Wolverhampton.