Nursery World - Children's minister to review 30 hours effects on disadvantaged

Children and families minister Nadhim Zahawi has agreed to look at evidence which shows non-working parents and their children are being put at a disadvantage because they are not eligible for the 30 hours.

Mr Zahawi was giving evidence for the first time to the Education Select Committee last week (Wednesday 14 March), where he was questioned by the chair of the committee Robert Halfon MP and Labour MP for Manchester Central Lucy Powell about the Government’s decision to offer the 30 hours to higher-income parents and whether the eligibility threshold could be reduced to fund the policy for non-working parents.

Working parents of three- and four-year-olds earning up to £100,000 each are eligible for the 30 hours of funded childcare.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Halfon said, ‘Surely there must be a case for reducing the upper thresholds for 30 hours and Tax-Free Childcare, and using this money to support poorer parents, especially those not working, with their childcare costs. How can it be right that an MP with children gets free childcare, yet a single parent not working doesn’t?’

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