Closed petition Allow childcare costs to paid in advance through Universal Credit

Closed on 18 December 2021

We call for the Government to allow parents and guardians on Universal Credit to be paid in advance for their childcare costs.

At present, parents can claim up to 85% of childcare back once the childcare has been paid and once the childcare has occurred.

This can mean trying to find hundreds of pounds to pay for the childcare and waiting, in some cases, months before up to 85% can be paid back.

This is particularly difficult for parents, particularly single parents. Universal credit is designed to help people into work but this is a huge barrier that many parents/guardians face.