Children: Day Care

(asked on 20th September 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the cost of nursery places on household finances; and if the Government will provide more childcare support to parents.


Answered by
Kelly Tolhurst Portrait
Kelly Tolhurst
This question was answered on 28th September 2022

The department has not made such assessments with Cabinet colleagues.

We continue to work across government to look at ways to make childcare more affordable and accessible and to encourage families to use their entitlements. In July 2022, we announced measures to increase take-up of childcare support and reduce the costs and bureaucracy facing providers. These plans give providers more flexibility and autonomy and ensure families can access government support to save them money on their childcare bills.

The department has a £1.2 million campaign underway via the Childcare Choices website to ensure that every parent knows about the government funded support they are eligible for. More information is available at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The department is also working to expand the childminder market and encourage the growth of childminder agencies, which will enable greater access to this flexible, affordable form of care.

Data from the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development shows that the net cost of full-time, centre-based childcare in the UK in 2021 for couples was 26% of household income, taking account of childcare benefits for a couple where both parents earn 67% of the average wage and have two children aged 2 and 3. This has increased slightly over recent years, from 23% in 2012, 25% in 2015 and 2018 and from 26% in 2019.

Reticulating Splines