Nursery World - Grandparent carers need flexible working and financial support, says report

The UK is lagging behind other European countries in recognising the crucial role of grandparents, a new study claims.

According to the report Grandparenting in Europe, Britain's grandparents are undervalued and overlooked.

Research by Grandparents Plus, the Beth Johnson Foundation and the Institute of Gerontology at King's College London, found that while many EU countries have taken steps to support grandparents by allowing parents to transfer leave and for working grandparents to have time off if their grandchild is unwell, UK grandparents are left struggling to juggle work and care without any financial help.

Parental leave cannot be transferred to UK grandparents, they cannot be paid in childcare tax credits or vouchers and they have no right to request flexible working.While the report acknowledges that since April, grandparents have been able to claim National Insurance credits for the care they provide, it says they should not be taken for granted as cheap childcare.

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