Closed petition: Enable self-employed to include childcare costs in allowable expenses

Closed on 14 November 2025

We want the Government to allow those who are self-employed to deduct childcare costs from their taxable profit and therefore be included in allowable expenses. We think these deductions could increase productivity, earnings, and ultimately tax revenues.

We think it could also help reduce economic inactivity, close the gender gap in entrepreneurship, and support more parents to start and grow businesses. We believe the UK economy depends on entrepreneurship and that childcare, which can be unaffordable, is a major barrier for the self-employed, especially women. We think recognising childcare as a legitimate business expense could boost productivity, earnings, and tax revenues, while supporting fairness.