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Morning Extra - Maddie McCann & childcare costs

Logo for Morning Extra - Maddie McCann & childcare costs

Have the newspapers been irresponsible in reporting the Maddie McCann case? As the first-named suspect in the Madeline McCann disappearance you'd be forgiven for thinking that Robert Murat was guilty - especially if you read any of the papers. But now Mr Murat is in line to receive a libel settlement of at least half a million pounds over allegations in 11 UK newspapers. What did you make of the media coverage? Did you believe what you read? And with a payout of around £40,000 on average, have the newspapers got off far too lightly? Have you been a victim of slurs and innuendo in the press? Plus: Is the cost of child care holding back parents who want to work? Save the Children says a quarter of low income families can't hold down a job because getting someone to look after their children is simply too expensive. They're calling for seasonal grants of £100 to help poorer families and are urging the government to increase the minimum wage. We're also hearing today that the costs can be especially high at this time of the year with holiday child care rising by nearly 9% in the past year. So should we be granting financial incentives to allow parents to work? Graham Stewart takes your calls, texts and emails.