The single-parent trap
Victoria Benson, chief executive at Gingerbread, the charity that supports single-parent families
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Lack of available suitable childcare, and the high cost of that which is accessible, are pushing single parents and their children into poverty says Victoria Benson
We know that single parents want to work – not just because they tell us this, but because Government data shows us this is true.
Before the pandemic, almost 70 per cent of single parents were in work, and those who weren’t were often at home with very young babies, managing caring responsibilities or unable to work because of disability.
Childcare is even more vital for single parents who, unlike couples, can’t share the load with a partner. These extra challenges and lack of flexibility mean single parents are often trapped in low-paid roles and face more disadvantage and poverty.
Affordable childcare is an essential part of the route out of poverty, but sadly, many single parents have had to turn down jobs simply because they are unable to pay the costs of childcare, or because there is no childcare available. While the shortage of affordable childcare isn’t a new issue, it has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The cost is also a key factor, with childcare in the UK some of the most expensive in the world.
Recently, more than 100,000 parents signed a petition calling for an independent review of childcare funding and affordability. At the same time, a survey of more than 20,000 parents found that 97 per cent find childcare too expensive. This issue is particularly acute for single parents.
Single parents are much more likely than couple parents to be pushed into debt as a result of childcare costs. Single parents who responded to the survey also reported that childcare costs have had a significant impact on their family’s standard of living, and in some cases were simply completely unaffordable. While single parents are much more likely to have to cut back on non-essential items such as holidays, more worryingly, they have also had to cut back on essential items such as food, heating and clothing and, in some cases, have been forced to use food banks. As we move into winter and as food, fuel and heating costs rise, we at Gingerbread are extremely concerned that more and more children will be pushed into poverty.
We need to see an independent review of the sector and support given to those who need it – from providers to parents.
The Government must recognise childcare as an essential part of our country’s infrastructure – without affordable and accessible provision, too many people will be locked out of the workforce and families will slide into poverty.
- Gingerbread’s report is available here
