Just over a year ago I called for childcare to become a top priority for politicians.
So, in one sense, the government’s announcement today about tax breaks for working parents is good news: at last childcare is rising up the political agenda.
But let’s not be fooled that just because it is talking about it, the government is getting it right. This government’s childcare policy has been a story of chaos and confusion. Announcements have been made and then failed to materialise – such as changes in regulation of childminders.
Overall there is a complicated and confusing policy picture. Westminster politicians have a habit of talking about childcare in statistics and just not getting how it works for real parents and real children. This children’s minister is no exception. I have never had so many people stop me in the street to complain about a single government policy as about childcare.
Take the free 15 hours of nursery care for three-year-olds, which the government likes to shout about. In school nurseries if a working parent wants to purchase the hours they need to work they can’t, although schools are being creative about getting around this.
And even this latest announcement is a promise of childcare yet to come – its delivery depends on the general election. And parents receiving childcare vouchers need to calculate if the switch is worth it and worry whether this existing tax-free element will be age-restricted in future.
I represent one of the youngest parliamentary seats in the UK and childcare is a big concern.
Ask any working parent what the toughest part of the job is, and they will tell you: sorting out childcare. It is a constant logistical and financial challenge. As a working mum with three children, including one under five, I know, and I am lucky to be well paid.
In London with long journey-to-work times, doing a full day’s work means long and expensive childcare hours – if you can get them. The UK has some of the most expensive childcare in the world.
The last Labour government introduced nursery places for four- and five-year-olds, tax credits and the voucher system. I welcome these changes, but piecemeal reform is not enough. Britain needs a childcare revolution.
Childcare must be one of the deciding factors at the next election and I want Labour to go further outlining how we can, over time, achieve universal free childcare.
In 2015, whichever party is in power, money will still be tight. But Britain needs the talents and energy of all parents with women active and fully equal in the workplace. And the evidence that children benefit from nursery and other registered childcare, equipping them for school and beyond is clear. More parents working, paying taxes, and not claiming tax credits and benefits will more than pay for the state’s investment.
We are at our best when we are boldest. Let’s use the promise of 25 hours of free childcare as the first step towards a universal system that will pay for itself in the long term.
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Meg Hillier is member of parliament for Hackney South and Shoreditch. She tweets @Meg_HillierMP
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