Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Affordable Childcare

Monday 27 February 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Theresa Villiers asked about steps to improve access to affordable childcare.
  • The Minister responded that improving access to affordable childcare is a Government priority.
  • The Minister mentioned expanding hourly entitlements for three to four-year-olds as part of the Government's efforts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Theresa Villiers Con
Women & Equalities Children & Families
Context

Improving parents' ability to afford childcare is a priority, especially as the Budget approaches.

Question

What steps she is taking to improve access to affordable childcare. With the Budget coming up, will the Government look at how reducing the cost of childcare could help productivity by supporting women who want to go back into the workplace and bringing back over-50s who may have retired early partly to look after grandchildren?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

Improving parents' access to affordable childcare is a Government priority. We are working with the Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC to deliver the childcare choices campaign. My right hon Friend is correct that childcare supports women and parents into the labour market, and we want to support families by exploring options to achieve this. The Government have delivered a huge amount on childcare, including doubling the 15-hour entitlement for working parents of three to four-year-olds to 30 hours and introducing 15 free hours for disadvantaged two-year-olds.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding reducing childcare costs in the Budget was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or figures.

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Q2 Theresa Villiers Con
Economy Children & Families
Context

Spiralling childcare costs are a significant burden on families, particularly those with multiple children.

Question

On Saturday, I met a constituent who was about to return to work from her maternity leave after having her second child. Her childcare costs for a three-year-old and a one-year-old will be £2,700 a month. Spiralling childcare costs are an unbearable cost of living pressure for many families, so what discussions has the Minister had with the Treasury about tackling this unsustainable pressure, and can parents and providers expect to see the urgent change that is needed in the forthcoming Budget?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. I understand it is a challenging time with the cost of living and with childcare. I would say it is the Conservative Government who have done the most of any party to expand hourly entitlements, including expanding hours for three to four-year-olds, introducing 15 hours for disadvantaged two-year-olds, introducing the holidays and activities fund, and doubling the number of families in recent years who have taken up tax-free childcare.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding discussions with the Treasury on tackling spiralling costs was not directly addressed.

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Q3 Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood
Employment Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The Government has taken steps to expand hourly entitlements for childcare.

Question

My right hon Friend is correct that childcare supports women and parents into the labour market, and we want to support families by exploring options to achieve this. The Government have delivered a huge amount on childcare, including doubling the 15-hour entitlement for working parents of three to four-year-olds to 30 hours and introducing 15 free hours for disadvantaged two-year-olds.

Answer from Claire Coutinho

Improving parents' access to affordable childcare is a Government priority. We are working with the Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC to deliver the childcare choices campaign. My right hon Friend is correct that childcare supports women and parents into the labour market, and we want to support families by exploring options to achieve this.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding supporting families in returning to work through affordable childcare was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or figures.

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How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)