Tony Blair and Michael Howard have pledged greater support for families through expanded childcare provision.

Labour has made assistance for "hard working families" one of its key election platforms.

But Howard used his speech on Thursday to pledge to reform tax credits to make it easier for grandparents to qualify as childminders.

Howard said that arriving home late from work at the start of his legal career "made me feel like a bad parent".

Meanwhile, in a speech to the Daycare Trust charity, the prime minister announced that all parents of children of primary school age will have access to childcare at a rate of £2.50 to £3.00 per hour by the end of the next parliament.

"I want to offer mums and dads more choice and flexibility with childcare to help them with their busy lives - parents at work and parents at home - and give children the best possible start in life," said Blair.