PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Universal Credit (15 June 2022)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support his Department provides to Universal Credit claimants on (a) payment of childcare and (b) support in accessing free childcare when appropriate.

Asked by:
Alison McGovern (Labour)

Through Universal Credit, eligible parents can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month up to the maximum amount of £646.35 for one child and £1,108.04 for two or more children each month, regardless of the number of hours they work. For those who need extra financial support for their first set of childcare costs when moving in to work, or when they are significantly increasing their work hours, they can apply for help from the Flexible Support Fund. Importantly, the UC childcare element can be used to top up a claimant’s eligible 15 or 30 hours of free childcare if further childcare is required to support a working parent.

We also have products in place to ensure Work Coaches are able to explain the free childcare offer to parents. Work coaches signpost to the Childcare Choices website for more information about the wider Government childcare offers available.

Answered by:
David Rutley (Conservative)
24 June 2022