The government’s flagship welfare reform programme, Universal Credit is being extended to parents for the first time.
The extension will begin with families in the North West, who will be able to claim up to 70% of childcare costs regardless of how many hours have been worked.
Initially this will be capped at £532 for one child per month and £912 for two or more children. In 2016 this will be increased to 85%, with a monthly limit of £646 for one child and £1,108 for two or more children.
Work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, said: ‘We’ve already seen remarkable successes, with Universal Credit claimants moving into work faster and staying in work longer.
‘As part of our long-term economic plan, today sees the next stage of this welfare revolution brining families on-board with extra childcare support and flexibility for employers. By spring next year one in three jobcentres will be offering the new benefit.’
The Universal Credit system merges six benefits in to one and should be available in 100 Jobcentres by Christmas.
