Margaret Greenwood responds to DWP's statement on Universal Credit and childcare costs

Margaret Greenwood MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, commenting on the DWP’s statement on Universal Credit and childcare costs, said:

“This change will not make any difference to the fact that with Universal Credit parents on low-incomes have to find the cost of childcare upfront and then claim it back. That can act as a barrier to parents taking up work if they can’t afford to do that or don’t have a family member who can help look after the children.

“Childcare is a major expense for parents and the wait to have the costs reimbursed can mean that parents can lose the chance of a childcare place whereas people claiming tax credits receive help with childcare costs upfront. 

“Labour is committed to introducing free universal childcare for all two to four year olds, with funding paid directly to providers so parents are not faced with the risk of being penalised when trying to return to work by a system that simply does not reflect the realities of their lives.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

• ·       Written Statement tabled by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment, Mims Davies MP on Universal Credit: Reporting Childcare Costs, published today (9^th September) can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/parents-and-guardians-given-extra-time-to-claim-back-childcare-costs-with-universal-credit