The Manifesto for a child poverty free London

Childcare

Polling carried out in September 2021 among a representative sample of Londoners found that childcare costs were felt to be the biggest driver of poverty in the city. This reflects the fact that total childcare costs in inner London are 30% higher than elsewhere in the country.

These high costs and the failure of central government to uprate the childcare element of Universal Credit means that for many families across the city, especially lone parents, it is no longer possible to make work pay, even on a part-time basis. For families with children who are disabled or have special educational needs, the barriers are even higher, due to a lack of affordable, high-quality provision that meets their children’s needs.

The situation is also very difficult for childcare providers. Government funding for the childcare that families are entitled to is inadequate, and rising energy prices, inflation and increased employment costs are making it harder and harder to balance the books and provide this essential service. Local councils have supported the childcare sector through the pandemic and must continue to support providers and ensure families have access to high quality, affordable, accessible childcare that allows them to work.

Manifesto Asks: Action on Childcare

ASK 1: Consider how local early years funding could be used more creatively and complemented from additional sources, to increase provision for children who would disproportionately benefit from it, including children whose families are experiencing financial hardship, children with SEND and children in need.

Ask 2: Where gaps are identified in the supply of affordable, high-quality childcare in the local area consider providing financial support to address them, for example in the form of start-up grants to providers to establish new settings and/or increase the number places available.

ASK 3: Establish schemes to provide social security claimants with interest-free loans or payments to cover the up-front costs of childcare provision, such as deposits.