Parent and Socialist Party member
The government has promised help with childcare costs for Universal Credit claimants. Money for childcare for people on Universal Credit will now be paid up front.
The amount claimants get is also increasing. This is welcome news for many. Although, prior to the budget, the Tories haven’t said how much. And, so far, the Tories have announced no plans for people not on Universal Credit.
Worse still, the Tories are combining the slight improvements in help for Universal Credit claimants with more draconian benefit sanctions. Under the changes, overworked parents could end up losing all help.
For people like myself, finding out what, if anything, I am entitled to should I return to work has already involved using multiple benefit calculators, online support groups and a call to Citizens Advice.
UK childcare is among the most expensive in the world. Full-time nursery care in England for a child under two was already more than £14,000 last year.
I’m currently claiming Universal Credit to supplement statutory maternity pay. But once I return to work, I may be earning ‘too much’ to claim Universal Credit. Therefore, I will not be entitled to the payments towards childcare, which would allow me to return to work in the first place!
Much of the benefits available to parents are for children two-years plus. This is of no help to parents coming back from maternity leave.
If I want to keep my job I need to return to it. My job is no longer guaranteed long before I’m entitled to help with childcare.
Many parents facing these predicaments are put off trying to return to work. According to campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed, 76% of mothers who pay for childcare say it no longer makes financial sense for them to work.
The Tories claim to have ‘simplified’ benefits during their time in power. There is a simple alternative. Free, high-quality, publicly funded and community-run childcare to meet the needs of all.
