Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a Government universal offer on childcare.

In the 2023 Spring Budget, the government announced a number of transformative reforms to childcare. This includes the expansion of the 30 hours free childcare offer, through which eligible working parents in England will be able to access 30 hours of free childcare per week, for 38 weeks, per year from when their child is 9 months old to when they start school.

The government will expect to be spending in excess of £8 billion every year on free hours and early education by 2027/28, helping working families with their childcare costs. This announcement represents the single biggest investment in childcare in England.

The department understands that parents value high-quality, affordable childcare and recognises that cost of living pressures are affecting families across the country. The key objective of this announcement is to support parents to return and stay in work. This is why this offer is conditional on work and is not a universal offer.

Eligible working parents of 3 and 4-year-olds are currently eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week, over 38 weeks a year. From April 2024, working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare per week, over 38 weeks a year. From September 2024, this will be extended to parents of 9 month to 3-year-olds, and from September 2025, working parents of 9 month to 3-year-olds will be able to access 30 free hours per week, over 38 weeks a year. To be eligible for this offer, as with the current 30 hours offer, parents will need to earn the equivalent of 16 hours a week at National Minimum or Living Wage and less than £100,000 adjusted net income per year.

The reforms announced build on our current early education entitlements that the government offers, which includes a universal 15 hour offer for all 3 and 4-year-old children. All children can access this entitlement for 38 weeks of the year from the term after they turn three until they start school, regardless of family circumstances.

Parents of disadvantaged 2-year-olds will continue to be eligible for the 15 hours free early education. This includes working parents on low incomes and in receipts of certain benefits, those with education, health and care plans, and looked-after children.

Tax-Free Childcare is also available for working parents of children aged 0-11, or up to 17 for eligible children with disabilities. This can save parents up to £2,000 per year, or up to £4,000 for eligible children with disabilities.