We did it! Thanks to you, our childcare petition has more than 100,000 signatures, which means it will be considered for debate in Parliament. For years, campaigners have lobbied the Government for a childcare system that is both affordable and good quality and which ensures childcare workers are paid a fair wage for the valuable work they do, but it has fallen on deaf ears. So, we – Grazia, its parenting channel The Juggle and my charity Pregnant Then Screwed – decided to change tack.
If the Government believes our childcare system is fit for purpose, we want them to prove it by commissioning an independent review, and you supported us by signing our petition calling for just that. A review would examine whether parents (mostly mothers) are being forced out of their careers as they can’t afford to work, or can’t secure childcare, and how this impacts the economy and child poverty. It would explore whether the poor wages of childcare staff is driving down quality and the long-term impact this will have on children. And it will examine whether the closure of nurseries in deprived areas will increase the attainment gap between the rich and poor.
Catherine McKinnell MP, Chair of the Petitions Committee, said, ‘I look forward to leading a debate on affordable and accessible childcare. Last year, the Petitions Committee held an inquiry into the challenges faced by new and expectant parents during the Covid-19 pandemic, including the need for realistic childcare options as they prepared to return to work. Our report found evidence of systemic problems in childcare funding and availability. We’ll be revisiting our findings in the coming weeks, and considering what further support the Government can offer new parents and the childcare sector.’
So far, the Government has yet to commit to action. A spokesman told Grazia, ‘We’ve made an unprecedented investment in childcare over the past decade. Tax-free childcare can save families up to £2,000 per child per year and every three and four-year-old can access 15 hours’ free childcare a week, as well as two-year-olds from lower-income families. Working parents can save up to £5,000 a year through 30 hours’ free childcare for three and four-year-olds and, via Universal Credit, parents can claim back up to 85% of childcare costs. There is also childcare support available for those in full-time education.’
So a debate remains vital. They are a chance to promote an issue among Parliamentarians. A minister – in this case likely to be Vicky Ford, Minister for Children and Families – attends the debate and will respond to the petition following presentations from interested MPs. The likelihood is that Ms Ford will listen to MPs discuss the need for reform, and to an independent review supporting that reform, then she will say how important childcare is – without making any commitment whatsoever.
This sounds like a waste of time, right? But it isn’t. Ministers know that if a petition gets over 100,000 signatures it is an issue people care about and that means it’s a vote winner. This is the second time in seven months that a petition related to childcare has reached more than 100,000 signatures. Campaigns take tenacity, time and commitment; our collective cries for a much-improved system should be so loud they are deafening.
There are other ways we can keep the Parliamentary pressure elevated, including asking MPs to raise questions in the Commons, asking an MP to lead on an Early Day Motion, sending letters to ministers, producing more research that shows our childcare system is broken and, if all else fails, we could always see if Marcus Rashford might have a word.
In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled across Pregnant Then Screwed, Grazia and The Juggle social media accounts, because we can’t do this without you.