Childcare (UK people please read)

[toffee87]

I'm wanting to put together a petition for a better childcare system, other countries have free childcare (but pay slightly higher taxes). An article from 2011 with the guardian says if mums could work and get free childcare, the government would benefit from the increase in taxes etc and in turn it would more than pay for the childcare.

I'm no expert on the economy, but I wondered what your views are?

https://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/dec/11/free-childcare-millions-tax-mums

If there is enough interest I will do a petition on e-petions (government online petitions)

Thanks

Jen

 

[ktod]

I agree with you but I think the government has already debated the childcare issue. In fact the news today was how they are going to allow childcare providers to have more children per adult to try to reduce prices. I think that idea is nuts personally, the price might go down but so will the attention the child gets as well. I'd rather pay more for a smaller ratio.

 

[Pearls18]

As a working mum with a child in childcare this is something close to my heart, however, I don't think it's a concern for the government at the moment because it is an employers market, the amount of unemployed people in the UK today probably makes it better for them that a proportion of the employment market is pushed out due to childcare prices iykwim? Especially as they wont come under the embarrassing unemployment statistics. If they needed the workers I imagine they would be more proactive. This is just a personal thought, no idea how true to life it is. (And not saying that it is right at all but just my sceptical opinion not hopeful much will change)

 

[toffee87]

No, you're both right. If there were jobs, perhaps it would work x

 

[fairy1984]

of course everyone would love free childcare but I cant see how the quality would stay the same if it was 100% subsidised by the government. in all honesty the current suggestions are the best the government will offer in a recession (which locally to me will mean poorer standards of childcare and childcare providers pocketing the additional profits therefore not even reduce childcare costs).

don't get me wrong, I agree with it but I just cant see the government committing to spending £billions on this particular area at the moment