Photograph by Bridget Coila
Working families where both parents work will see an increase in their childcare subsidy worth up to £2,000 per child under plans unveiled by the government.
The government will provide 20% support on childcare costs up to £10,000 per year for each child via a new simple online system, raising the limit from the current £6,000 for up to 1.9 million families with children under 12.
A new Early Years Pupil Premium was also announced, with the government investing £50 million in 2015/16 to provide early years providers more support for three and four year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds, as Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:
“A £50 million cash injection for early education providers to support those children who need extra help in their early years. We want to ensure that everyone can get on and succeed.”
Finally, Universal Credit will be expanded to provide around 85% of the cost of childcare for around 300,000 families, with the government hoping that this will offer some of the poorest parents the chance to return to work.
