Nursery World - Labour considers making the funded childcare hours means-tested, not universal

Labour has ruled out offering universal free childcare in favour of a means-tested offer to reduce spending commitments, reveal reports.

Reports suggest Labour is looking at making the funded hours means-tested if it wins the next general election, PHOTO: Adobe Stock

Instead of offering free or ‘very cheap’ childcare to every family with a child over nine months old, Labour is looking at giving more support to poorer families, while tapering it off for those on ‘higher’ incomes, sources told The Guardian. The current government's plans for childcare expansion are centred on working parents.

The online article published by the national newspaper quotes a Labour spokesperson as saying, ‘An expansion of childcare to all children is not Labour’s policy. Last year Labour announced that as part of its plans to modernise childcare that we will deliver free breakfast clubs for all primary school pupils in England, paid for by closing the non-dom tax loophole, and allowing councils to offer more childcare provision where they are able to do so.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included