It has come to many of our attentions that our benefits system seems to be “unfair” and “unjust”. Nothing more so, than the fact that employed parents are only entitled to free 30 hours of childcare once the child reaches the age of 3.

Unemployed parents or parents who are on certain benefits for low incomes  are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare when their child reaches the age of 2. Parents who have no work commitments who can stay at home and care for their children get benefits and free childcare over the parents who are working hard to provide for their families. Why is this so? 

The point of this petition is not to say that either parents deserve more than the other. The point of this petition is to give equal funding for both sets of parents. Not only would equal rights for working and non working parents be preferable, but also the option to get this help when a child reaches 12 months. (On average when a parent goes back to work after maternity leave.) 

Most parents worry, is financially. They want to go back to work to provide for their children, but the cost of childcare wouldn’t make it humanely sensible to do so as Childcare costs are now on average more than minimum wage. 

I am starting this petition to push for free childcare to begin when a child reaches the age of 12 months. If not 30 hours, at the very minimum 15 hours. No matter their earnings, no matter their circumstances. Every family should be entitled to this privilege.

I hope you can support me by signing this petition and hopefully easing the burden of childcare and financial stress. Thank you.