Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 provide for (a) family members and (b) friends to provide free childcare in their homes for parents who have to work.

Where parents or someone with parental responsibility do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents’ homes to continue existing arrangements for access and contact.

From 13 June, a lone parent you can form a support bubble with another household which would allow arrangements to provide informal (i.e. unpaid) childcare. This household can be family members or friends. The Government will continue to work with the childcare sector to ensure that sufficient, safe, appropriate and affordable childcare is available for those returning to work, and for all families who need it in the longer term.