Childcare

2023 - 3 - 15

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Budget 2023: Jeremy Hunt to announce £4bn expansion of free ... (The Independent)

Chancellor set to widen eligibility of free childcare to parents of one-and-two-year-olds.

Currently all families of three and four-years-old qualify for 15 hours of free childcare a week, over 38 weeks. “We know from harsh experience that what can sound like an impressive investment in theory can end up being wholly inadequate in practice,” he said. This has got to be part of a proper reform strategy because we know that the system’s not working at the moment.” We need proper reform. You can’t always do everything at once.” Pressed on the subject of childcare provision over the weekend, Mr Hunt had said: “We would like to help everyone.

Budget: Jeremy Hunt expected to splash £4bn on childcare expansion (City A.M.)

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to spend £4bn on childcare expansion for one and two-year-olds in today's Budget as part of a drive to get Brits into.

“This is an issue for the whole of society. Childcare has been over-looked for far too long.” It’s an issue that’s not only impacting families and businesses but the overall economy.”

How does 30 hours' free childcare work? Who is eligible for the ... (iNews)

How does 30 hours' free childcare work? Who is eligible for the support, and the Budget 2023 changes explained. Jeremy Hunt is set to extend the Government's ...

If you cannot decide, both of you must apply separately and HMRC will decide who gets a childcare account. He is also set to [announce additional support for parents](https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/money/childcare-costs-go-down-budget-2023-help-parents-benefits-statement-2199961?ico=in-line_link) on [universal credit](https://inews.co.uk/topic/universal-credit?ico=in-line_link). The budget is set to include a £4bn expansion of free childcare for one and two year-olds in England. Once your application has been approved, you will get a code for 30 hours free childcare to give to your childcare provider. [Jeremy Hunt](https://inews.co.uk/topic/jeremy-hunt?ico=in-line_link) is set to [extend the Government’s offer](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/childcare-changes-budget-2023-uk-costs-fall-jeremy-hunt-announcement-2208533?ico=in-line_link) of [30 hours of free childcare](https://inews.co.uk/opinion/editor/politics-for-dummies-hunt-has-chance-to-transform-childcare-2209346?ico=in-line_link) a week to parents of one and two-year-olds in [today’s Budget](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/budget-2023-when-date-jeremy-hunt-spring-statement-start-time-predictions-2192383?ico=in-line_link). - a childminder or nanny with a registered childminder agency or childcare agency If you and your partner are separated, you need to decide who should apply if you are jointly responsible for your child. You can usually get 30 hours of free childcare if you (and your partner, if you have one) are: - settled or pre-settled status (or you have applied and are waiting for a decision) To be eligible, over the next three months you and your partner (if you have one) must each expect to earn at least: [part of the Chancellor’s drive](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/budget-childcare-funding-pension-health-economic-inactivity-2201696?ico=in-line_link) to encourage [more people back into the workforce](https://inews.co.uk/news/childcare-collapse-nursery-bills-jeremy-hunt-fails-funding-budget-2203324?ico=in-line_link). In England, all parents of three and four-year-olds can get currently claim 570 hours of free childcare a year, equating to up to 15 hours a week.

Free childcare set to be expanded in Chancellor's budget (Echo)

It could also see increased funding for the current childcare programme for three-year-olds. The move would come amid ongoing concerns about the cost of ...

And I think this is where our agenda needs to be… We need to know much more about how this is going to work. “This has got to be part of a proper reform strategy because we know that the system’s not working at the moment.” Alison McGovern, the shadow employment minister, said that any announcement on childcare needed to be part of a “proper reform strategy”. You can’t always do everything at once.” Pressed on the subject of childcare provision over the weekend, Mr Hunt had said: “We would like to help everyone.

'Devil is in the detail' for Jeremy Hunt's free childcare expansion (The Week UK)

Critics fear chancellor's plan for increased childcare funding could cause more harm than good for nursery sector.

[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/e351ccfd-641f-4203-b778-19d656b8543b) said the Treasury will “increase the funding nurseries receive for the free hours, addressing the concerns of providers, which insist the amount they receive per hour falls far short of their costs”. However, it [tweeted](https://twitter.com/PregnantScrewed/status/1635719282762842121?cxt=HHwWkoCwla6Bn7MtAAAA): “From previous experience we know that the treasury doesn’t give anything, without taking something. Neil Leitch of the Early Years Alliance told Radio 4’s The World Tonight that the plans could “spell disaster” and force “considerably more” nurseries to close without proper funding. [City A.M.](https://www.cityam.com/budget-jeremy-hunt-expected-to-splash-4bn-on-childcare-expansion/) the impact “will be enormous” and “welcome news to working mothers”. Currently parents of children aged three and four are entitled to 15 or 30 free hours of childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year, starting from the term after their child turns three. This is set to be extended to parents of children aged one and two.

Can you get 30 hours free childcare under Hunt's new plans? (This is Money)

A £4billion expansion of free childcare for one and two-year-olds could form part of a surprise announcement in today's Budget to help get people back into ...

And I think this is where our agenda needs to be... This limits some from working and discourages others from taking on extra hours. You can apply if you're starting or re-starting work within the next 31 days. Currently all families of three and four-years-old get 15 hours of free childcare a week, over 38 weeks. The Government is set to offer 30 hours a week of free childcare to all children aged one and two, on top of the existing free nursery hours for those aged three and four. We need to know much more about how this is going to work. Are you eligible for free childcare? The Government is set to offer 30 hours a week of free childcare to all children aged one and two, on top of the existing free hours for those aged three and four. If you're on adoption leave for a child aged three to four, you must return to work within 31 days of the date you first apply for 30 hours free childcare for that child. All children aged three and four in England currently get 570 free hours of childcare a year, which equates to 15 hours per week when 38 weeks of the year are counted. The plan is believed to include 30 hours a week of childcare for three and four-year-olds (file) You can also get the free hours if you receive Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments; Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (or both), and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax; or you get the guaranteed element of Pension Credit.

Spring Budget 23: Chancellor to expand free childcare provision (www.professionaladviser.com)

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to announce a massive expansion of free childcare in his Budget speech later today as part of the government's drive to ...

It added that the rising cost of childcare has been "widely seen as a deterrent for some parents to go back to work or work full time". At present, working parents with three and four-year-olds can get 30 hours of free childcare a week. The Confederation of British Industry said while the expansion of the scheme could cost billions of pounds it could result in a `£10bn increase in revenue as more parents become able to work.