Sent: 19 March 2013 17:35 Subject: Commission welcomes childcare announcement but would have liked more, sooner

and simpler for low earners

Please see the following press release from the recently established Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, chaired by Alan Milburn.

COMMISSION WELCOMES CHILDCARE ANNOUNCEMENT BUT WOULD HAVE LIKED MORE, SOONER AND SIMPLER FOR LOW EARNERS The Commission for Social Mobility and Child Poverty welcomes the fact that the Government is taking the issue of childcare costs seriously. The UK has some of the highest childcare costs in the world and this can seriously damage work incentives, especially for those on low incomes, trapping families in poverty. It is good that the Government will help more families defray childcare costs. It is less good that 80% of the new money announced today will go to households in the top half of the income distribution. Low earners claiming Universal Credit will not see any benefit at all from the 750 million of new support through the tax-free childcare scheme. While the additional 200 million for childcare support for low earners through Universal Credit is welcome, it is disappointing that this new support will not be available until April 2016. Low low-income families are struggling with the cost of childcare now. It will be difficult for the Government to achieve its goal of reducing child poverty without earlier help to get more families into work.
Notes to Editors 1. The Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission (the Commission) is an advisory nondepartmental public body established by the Child Poverty Act 2010 as amended by the Welfare Reform Act 2012. The Commission became fully operational in January 2013. The role of the Commission is to: Monitor the Governments progress in improving social mobility and reducing child poverty in the United Kingdom. Monitor the implementation of the UK, Scottish and Welsh child poverty strategies. Provide independent published advice to Ministers at their request, including about the measurement of socio-economic disadvantage, social mobility and child poverty. Challenge non-government institutions, such as higher education, business and others, to improve their performance on social mobility.

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3. The Commissions Board is currently made up of 9 Commissioners who bring to bear their wisdom, experience, insight and networks: Alan Milburn (chair); Baroness Gillian Shepherd (deputy chair); Anne Marie Carrie, chief executive of Barnardos; Douglas Hamilton, Head of Save the Children, Scotland; Catriona Williams, chief executive of Children in Wales. Paul Gregg, Professor of Economic and Social Policy;

David Johnston, chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation; Paul Cleal, Government & Public Sector Leader at Price Waterhouse Coopers; and Tom Attwood, currently a Non Executive Director at the Centre for Social Justice and formerly Managing Director of the Intermediate Capital Group.

CONTACT: Rachael McGruer, 0207 340 8352