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Select Committee · Work and Pensions Committee

Universal Credit and childcare costs

Status: Closed Opened: 25 Nov 2021 Closed: 24 Jul 2023 8 recommendations 6 conclusions 1 report

The Committee looked into how well Universal Credit supports parents with childcare costs. We focussed on: • The requirement for parents to cover childcare costs upfront. • The maximum amounts that the Government will reimburse each month. • How easy it is for parents to get advice about what support they can claim for. Read …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fourth Report - Universal Credit and childcare costs HC 127 20 Dec 2022 14 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
1 Recommendation Fourth Report - Universal Credit and ch… Deferred

The Department is currently exceeding its expected proportion of claimants in receipt of childcare support,...

The Department is currently exceeding its expected proportion of claimants in receipt of childcare support, but it admits that some low-income parents still have difficulty accessing appropriate childcare, for reasons both within and outside its direct control. We recommend the Department commits to producing a quarterly statistical update on the …

Government response. The Department is reviewing the considerations as to the usefulness of more regular publications of UC childcare data and will keep the committee informed on this decision. Research on 'why take-up isn't higher' has been concluded but is still being …
Department for Work and Pensions
9 Conclusion Fourth Report - Universal Credit and ch… Deferred

The Government offers support on childcare options: notably, the Childcare Choices website and via Jobcentre...

The Government offers support on childcare options: notably, the Childcare Choices website and via Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches. DWP told us that Work Coaches receive training in advising UC claimants on their childcare options, but our evidence suggests further work is needed. We also heard that currently, UC claimants referring …

Government response. The Department states it does not have any jurisdiction to work with childcare providers and therefore, does not intend to consult with providers, as the regulation of childcare lies solely within the DfE remit. The current system of paying childcare …
Department for Work and Pensions
13 Recommendation Fourth Report - Universal Credit and ch… Deferred

We recommend that the Department for Work and Pensions consult providers on a way that...

We recommend that the Department for Work and Pensions consult providers on a way that costs can be split evenly for people claiming Universal Credit childcare support.

Government response. The Department for Work and Pensions does not intend to consult with childcare providers, redirecting responsibility to the Department for Education.
Department for Work and Pensions
14 Conclusion Fourth Report - Universal Credit and ch… Deferred

We heard some evidence on how the Department for Work and Pensions could improve or...

We heard some evidence on how the Department for Work and Pensions could improve or alter conditions in the childcare industry. But we recognise that much of the responsibility for childcare policy sits outside DWP, in the Department for Education. In particular, we heard evidence on whether childcare ratios for …

Government response. Acknowledges responsibility for childcare policy sits outside DWP, in the Department for Education.
Department for Work and Pensions

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
20 Apr 2022 David Rutley MP · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Donna Ward · Department for Work and Pensions, Mims Davies MP · Department for Work and Pensions, Neil Couling · Department for Work and Pensions View ↗
2 Mar 2022 Annabel Denham · Institute of Economic Affairs, Aria Babu · The Entrepreneurs Network, Gavin Rice · Centre for Social Justice, Gemma Widdowfield, Nichola Salvato, Vikki Waterman View ↗
26 Jan 2022 Ceri Smith · Department for International Trade, Charlotte McDonagh · Save the Children UK, Dr Rita Griffiths · Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath, Helen Donohoe · Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years, Jonathan Broadbery · National Day Nurseries Association, Oliver Crunden · Citizen’s Advice View ↗

Correspondence

4 letters
DateDirectionTitle
23 Feb 2023 — Correspondence to Secretary of State relating to the Universal Credit and child…
9 Feb 2023 — Correspondence from the Minister for Employment on Flexible Support Fund expend…
6 Jul 2022 — Correspondence with the Minister for Welfare Delivery and the Minister for Empl…
21 Apr 2022 — Correspondence with the Minister for Welfare Delivery relating to the Universal…