British prime minister angers some moms

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LONDON, March 20 (UPI) -- Some stay-at-home mothers were insulted by a spokesman of Britain's prime minister who said working parents would get child care help because they work hard.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Tory ministers announced working parents earning up to $226,500 each will get up to $1,800 government subsidy to help with child care because they have a "greater need" than families where one parent stayed home to care for children, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Under the $1.5 billion scheme, up to 2.5 million families -- both parents working outside of the home or single parents -- would each be able to claim vouchers to help subsidize their child care.

Stay-at-home mothers and fathers said the policy ignored the interests of 1.2 million parents who choose to stay at home to look after their children.

When asked if stay-at-home parents were less in need of state help than working parents, the spokesman only said Cameron wanted to support "aspiration," the Telegraph said.

The prime minister stressed the coalition wanted to direct its help at parents who "want to go out to work."

In a briefing document accidentally released on the Treasury's website, government officials wrote families with one stay-at-home parent were less deserving of state help than families where both parents worked.

"We need to focus our resources," the document obtained by website Politics Home said. "Working families who are struggling with their child care costs or families where parents want to go to work but can't afford to are in greater need of state support for child care."

Marie Peacock of Mothers at Home Matter said stay-at-home mothers "are working hard and they want to get on."

"Hardworking families are not just families with two earners. David Cameron is alienating mothers across Britain. We have been inundated with calls from stay-at-home mums who are puzzled and confused by what Mr. Cameron is saying," Peacock said.