In the recent UK budget announcement, the Chancellor has unveiled a series of measures aimed at supporting families with young children, particularly women who work or want to return to work.

These measures include an increase in the maximum Universal Credit parents can claim, funding for increased wraparound care, and 30 hours of free childcare per week for children from nine months old to school age for households where all adults work at least 16 hours.

While these measures are certainly welcome, the devil is in the detail, as the staggered introduction of the free childcare policy means that parents of toddlers will have to wait until April 2024 to receive 15 subsidised hours, with the full policy only being implemented in September 2025. However, despite the timeline, the Office for Budget Responsibility predicts that around 60,000 parents of young children will enter employment by 2027-28 as a result of these changes.

The increase in childcare funding is also expected to have a positive impact on the UK economy, as it will enable more parents to work and contribute to the country’s productivity. Furthermore, the upfront payment of childcare costs for parents on Universal Credit who are moving into work will alleviate financial stress for many families.

While some childcare providers have expressed mixed reactions to the changes, the founder of Pregnant then Screwed has stated that the significant investment in the childcare sector will make an enormous difference to parents who are struggling with the high cost of childcare. The concern raised by childcare providers and campaigners about the strategy for workers leaving due to years of underfunding is also being addressed as part of the government’s wider efforts to improve wages and working conditions across the economy.

Overall, the measures announced by the UK Chancellor are a step in the right direction towards supporting families with young children and promoting gender equality in the workplace. While there is still work to be done to ensure that the policies are effectively implemented, it is encouraging to see the government taking action to address the childcare crisis in the UK.