Surrey working parents are asking for free childcare
A petition has been put together by Surrey working parent asking for free childcare for two-year-olds. Parents will only be eligible if both parents are working. The e-petition has attracted over 132,732 signatures.
The petition was heard at Westminster Hall on Monday 21st November.
At present free childcare for two-year-olds is only given to parents who meet certain criteria. For more information about two-year funding click here
The Department of Education has given their response to the petition by saying that help with childcare for two years olds has been given to low-income families that either work or don’t work.
The aim of providing free childcare for these two-year-olds is to help close the attainment gap between all peers.
The introduction of the new tax-free childcare being introduced early 2017 will aim to support working parents by saving them £2000 per child. The childcare element of Universal Credit providers up to 70% of eligible costs and this figure rose in April 2016 to 85% for parents who were eligible.
What are people’s views on more help being offered to working parents?