Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Childcare reform: what about parents not on benefits?

212 replies

justwren · 12/03/2023 00:16

So universal credit claimants will be entitled to more help with childcare costs as announced by the govt this week.
What about those who aren't on benefits?
We're the ones who have to be finding 14k a year for one child in nursery. I'm not entitled to any benefits because my husband earns £34k a year. That's hardly millions!

Why is there no support being offered to the families who are having to pay for it in its entirety?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
EmptyPlaces · 12/03/2023 08:12

Why do you need childcare if you don’t work? You’re not contributing to the “pot” either, so are no better than the benefits people you’re trying to bash.

I’m a lone parent to 3 earning 40K and get some childcare covered by UC.

Simonjt · 12/03/2023 08:12

Why are all of your childcare costs coming from your husbands salary, it should be a joint expense.

ModerationInEverything · 12/03/2023 08:11

If your family income is less than £40k then your probably are eligible for some universal credit support with childcare fees. That's what Martin Lewis suggests anyway .

Moonicorn · 12/03/2023 08:11

Emmamoo89 · 12/03/2023 08:10

Because benefits aren't that great and can understand why they need more help than someone who's working

Benefits are very generous here. Far more so than most other countries.

Emmamoo89 · 12/03/2023 08:10

Because benefits aren't that great and can understand why they need more help than someone who's working

Oscarover · 12/03/2023 08:09

Do you not work?

Fireyflies · 12/03/2023 08:08

If only you DH is working why do you need help with childcare?

A single partner or couple with a combined income of £34k would usually be eligible for a bit of UC especially if they were paying high costs costs.

BridetoBee · 12/03/2023 08:06

@justwren if your husband is on 34k a year, are you not earning? If not then surely your children will just access childcare at 3?

Whatisthisanyidea · 12/03/2023 08:04

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
justwren · 12/03/2023 00:25

Bunnyfuller · 12/03/2023 00:18

Ah. If you’re not on benefits you can apparently afford everything: less help for energy, childcare, grants for home insulation, university financial support.

we’ve got plenty to cover it all. Apparently.

Well, exactly! I'm just amazed that they've announced these childcare cost reforms with such fanfare in the last week or so, but it makes no difference at all to the majority of families. Pregnant then Screwed's examples of families affected by obscene childcare costs are hardly ever on universal credit (because help is provided for claimants of that already!!)- it's working families/mums unable to work because of the childcare costs outweighing any salary it wouldn't make sense. £34k a year is not a lot to feed three people especially if £14k of it goes on nursery fees! Am I missing something here?!

OP posts:
Moonicorn · 12/03/2023 00:19

What about us? We’ll get nothing because we fund everyone else, that’s what 🤷🏼‍♀️

But remember we’re lucky, we might get to choose our nursing home one day.

Bunnyfuller · 12/03/2023 00:18

Ah. If you’re not on benefits you can apparently afford everything: less help for energy, childcare, grants for home insulation, university financial support.

we’ve got plenty to cover it all. Apparently.