Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to increase the affordability of childcare for low income families.

This Government is committed to supporting families across the income distribution with the cost of childcare and we will be spending almost £6 billion in 2019/20 on childcare support – more than ever before.

Families on low incomes are able to access a range of childcare support including:

• 15 hours of free childcare per week for disadvantaged two-year olds in England.
• 15 hours of free childcare per week for all 3 and 4 year olds in England, as well as an additional 15 hours of free childcare a week for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds in England.
• Up to 85% of childcare costs under Universal Credit, an increase from the 70% of costs which were previously covered under Tax Credits.