Is the childcare voucher scheme a good idea?

Plans to help working parents with childcare costs are being praised by some as a great step in encouraging women back to work, but they've also come under fire, as some families will become worse off.

A 12-week consultation on the system - which was first announced in March's Budget - is expected to start later.

Families with two working parents on less than £150,000 each would be able to claim up to £1,200 a year per child.

Financial Advisor Yvonne Goodwin argues the scheme is a "good idea" and is happy it includes self-employed people. Imogen Thompson, from the Mothers at Home Matter group, says that she should not be penalised for being a stay-at-home mother.