Of the 36,000 mothers that responded to the poll by the TUC (Trades Union Congress) and campaigner Mother Pukka, nearly two-thirds of those that work and have primary school-age children said they do not have sufficient childcare for the summer holidays. Single mums were more likely to say this was a problem.
The poll was carried out between 23 June and 4 July.
Other key findings include:
- Nearly one in five have used all their annual leave up to accommodate home-schooling during previous lockdowns.
- One in five do not have their usual network of friends or family that they can rely on to help with childcare this year.
- Around one in eight don’t have access to their usual school holiday summer clubs.
Many of those that took part in the survey said they are relying on being able to work more flexibly than before in order to juggle work and childcare. Almost two-in-five will have to combine working from home with childcare. More than one-in-four will work more flexibly than normal.
The survey found that one in eight (13 per cent) will have to reduce their hours at work, while the same number will have to take unpaid leave.
The TUC is calling on the Government to:
- Introduce a legal right to flexible work for everyone from their first day in a job and a duty to include available flexibility in job adverts.
- Bring in a 10 days’ carer’s leave on full pay, from day one in a job, for all parents. Currently parents have no statutory right to paid leave to look after their children.
- Invest in childcare. The TUC states, ‘We need more funding for good-quality, affordable childcare throughout the year to support parents and help the sector recover from the pandemic.’
A petition has also been launched calling on the Government to introduce stronger rights to flexible working. The TUC and Mother Pukka petition is available here.
Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC, said, ‘Women have borne the brunt of the pandemic, on the front line in key worker roles and at home. Working mums picked up the lion’s share of caring responsibilities while schools were closed, with many sacrificing hours and pay to do so.
‘But while restrictions may be lifting and ministers talk about us getting back to normal, working mums are still feeling the impact of the pandemic.
‘It shouldn’t be this difficult. If ministers don’t act, we risk turning the clock back on generations of progress women have made at work.
‘It’s clear parents are relying on flexibility more than ever to cope with the extra demands posed by the crisis. Let’s make sure everyone has stronger legal rights to flexible working arrangements.’
Founder of Mother Pukka Anna Whitehouse added, 'There are approximately 62 days of holiday a year, and the average employee holiday allowance is 25 days. The maths simply doesn’t add up.
‘If we are going to recover from this pandemic and ensure the playing field is level for men and women at some point in the future, we need childcare to be part of our infrastructure – as important as roads, railways and signposts.
’Together with the TUC, I want to not just break the cycle, but rebuild a whole new way of working for parents which doesn’t leave them logging off from their careers or disconnected from their family.’
Sector response
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said that trying to find affordable and accessible childcare over the holidays had got even worse since the pandemic.
Chief executive Purnima Tanuku explained, ‘Time and time again research has shown that childcare is vital to the national economy. The Government must listen to parents and childcare providers who are really struggling. Nurseries and other providers need financial support to remain on an even keel.
‘We know from our research that many nurseries are having to close rooms and as [Covid] cases continue to rise, cannot get enough staff members. Too many are either self-isolating or looking after their own children who are isolating.
‘We published our nursery closures report earlier this week which showed that 35 per cent more nurseries were going out of business than the previous year. This is proof that there just isn’t enough investment made in childcare and no interest from the Government in supporting these businesses which are an essential service and support to parents.’
The Government has been contacted for a response.
