"I'd love to work more hours," Sharples told Reuters at the home in northern England she shares with her children and web-developer husband. The Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP) think tank has estimated that around 1.5 million British mums would work more hours if childcare permitted. Business groups and researchers argue that acting on childcare in his March 15 budget would do more to unlock greater economic growth. The government says it has spent more than 20 billion pounds in the last five years helping with the cost of childcare. "Childcare unlocks not just the potential of children, but also the potential of parents," Labour leader Keir Starmer said last month.

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