Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to research published by the Family and Childcare Trust on childcare costs published in February 2018, whether her Department has plans to change the current limit on childcare costs covered by universal credit.

We have already increased the level of support for childcare costs within Universal Credit from 70% to 85%, it’s highest ever level. This is more generous than the support available to people on legacy benefits, and means that hard working families on Universal Credit can now reclaim up to 85% of their eligible childcare costs. This gives parents up to £646.35 per month for one child and £1108.04 per month for two or more children.

The Government now provides more support than ever before to help parents with the costs of childcare, including providing 15 hours a week of free childcare in England for all 3 and 4 year olds and disadvantaged 2 year olds, doubling free childcare available for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds to 30 hours a week.

DWP has no plans to change the current limit on childcare costs covered by Universal Credit.