The British government is launching a new initiative today Monday to improve the provision and regulation of child-care.

It is expected to announce proposals for a national register of nannies in a move to eliminate over-charging and standardise vetting procedures after several highly-publicised trials in which childminders were accused of killing or abusing children in their care.

The government is also setting up a one-year enquiry into childcare provision.

The Childcare Commission is being chaired by the former Social Security Secretary, Harriet Harman.

She said that the growth of twenty-four-hour working and increasing pressures on all workers meant that guaranteeing safe and affordable child-care was a priority.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service