Universal Credit and childcare: Work and Pensions Committee holds first oral evidence session

• Parliament TV: Watch the session live
• Inquiry: Universal Credit and childcare costs
• Work and Pensions Committee

Purpose of the session

The inquiry was launched amid concerns that the current system of childcare support creates barriers to parents moving into work or working more hours. It will look at how childcare support is paid and the impact of caps on the amount of support available. It will also explore the effectiveness of advice about childcare support given to parents claiming UC and the efficiency of public funding of wider childcare support schemes.

Questioning in the first evidence session is expected to focus on the impact on families of paying childcare costs upfront and how easy it is for parents to understand and reclaim the support they are entitled to. MPs are also likely to explore with witnesses the impact of the cap on childcare costs and the role of the Flexible Support Fund.

Witness

Wednesday 26 January

Panel 1, from 9.15am:

• Charlotte McDonagh, Policy Adviser, Save the Children
• Oliver Crunden, Senior Policy and Research Officer, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)
• Ceri Smith, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Gingerbread
• Dr Rita Griffiths, Research Fellow, Institute of Policy Research, University of Bath

Panel 2, from approximately 10.15am:

• Helen Donohoe, Policy Adviser, Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY)
• Jonathan Broadbery, Director of Policy and Communications, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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