"This is a hugely significant intervention": Mumsnet responds to childcare announcement in today's Budget

Responding to the childcare announcement in today's Budget, Mumsnet Founder and CEO Justine Roberts said:

"This is a hugely significant intervention from the Chancellor. Mumsnet has been campaigning for years for childcare to be recognised as the vital national infrastructure that it is, and to see it at the centre of today's Budget is testament to the work we have done to drive it up the political agenda.

"We know from our users that the current gap in support between the end of maternity leave and a child's third birthday means for many women it is simply not financially feasible to return to work.  This has long term consequences for their careers and pensions, as well as slowing economic growth, so it is welcome that the government has listened to us on this issue and set out a plan to address it.  We are also pleased that the Chancellor has heeded calls to reform the childcare element of Universal Credit so that it no longer forces parents into debt, and has announced changes to increase the supply of wraparound care to better reflect the needs of working parents.

"That said, there are clearly concerns about whether the funding allocated is actually sufficient to deliver this expanded provision.  We would urge the Chancellor to engage with these concerns immediately in order to ensure the offer to families that he has outlined can actually be delivered."