Families need extra help with childcare costs – CPAG backs IPPR report

A report calling for parents to be given more support with the costs of childcare has been welcomed by a leading children’s charity.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) was responding to Equal access? Appropriate and affordable childcare for every child, published by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) today.

CPAG’s Chief Executive Kate Green said:

“Financial support for childcare costs through the Working Tax Credit has not yet reached as many parents as it could have done. The IPPR’s idea of linking the subsidy to Child Tax Credit instead would certainly widen the number of families who are eligible.

“Much more also needs to be done to simplify the system, publicise the fact that many working families can already get up to 80 per cent of their childcare costs paid for through tax credits and increase the supply of affordable childcare places.

“The government has put childcare to the top of its agenda, but the progress that’s been made must be strengthened. Further investment in affordable childcare is essential if the government’s targets to end child poverty and further increase the number of lone parents in employment are to be met.”

For further information please contact:
Alex Belardinelli
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
abelardinelli@cpag.org.uk