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Thousands miss out on childcare support
Student Finance

Thousands miss out on childcare support

The UK's childcare support system has been criticized for excluding PhD students from claiming 30 hours of funded childcare, despite their low income. This affects around 2,000 families, who miss out on approximately £8,000 of support per year. The exclusion has been described as a 'nerd tax'.

By Ratio Report Editorial 3 min read Via Guardian Students
Reviewed ·

Key takeaway

Thousands of families in the UK are missing out on £8,000 childcare support due to unfair eligibility criteria.

  • The UK's childcare support system excludes PhD students from claiming 30 hours of funded childcare.
  • This affects around 2,000 families, who miss out on approximately £8,000 of support per year.
  • The exclusion has been described as a 'nerd tax'.

The unfair eligibility criteria

The UK's childcare support system has been criticized for excluding PhD students from claiming 30 hours of funded childcare. This is despite their low income, which is typically around £20,000 per year. The exclusion affects around 2,000 families, who miss out on approximately £8,000 of support per year.

The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has ordered a Competition and Markets Authority review of hidden childcare charges. However, she has also been urged to review her department's own eligibility criteria for accessing 30 hours of funded childcare.

The exclusion of PhD students from childcare support has been described as a 'nerd tax'. This term was coined by Jamie Evans, whose wife is a PhD student and will be affected by the exclusion from February next year.

Impact on students and families

This exclusion affects not just PhD students but also their families. For example, a family with a child who is nine months old and a PhD student parent will miss out on £8,000 of childcare support per year. This can have a significant impact on their finances, especially for those who are already struggling to make ends meet.

The impact is not limited to PhD students; other low-income families may also be affected by the eligibility criteria. As a result, many families are calling for a review of the childcare support system to make it more inclusive and fair.

Source

Guardian Students

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This article is based on reporting from Guardian Students. Ratio Report provides context and analysis for UK students and young adults.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'nerd tax'? +
The 'nerd tax' refers to the exclusion of PhD students from claiming 30 hours of funded childcare, despite their low income. This results in around 2,000 families missing out on approximately £8,000 of support per year.
How many families are affected by this exclusion? +
Around 2,000 families are affected by the exclusion of PhD students from childcare support. These families miss out on approximately £8,000 of support per year.
What can I do if I am affected by this exclusion? +
If you are affected by this exclusion, you can contact your local authority or childcare provider to discuss your options. You can also join campaigns calling for a review of the childcare support system to make it more inclusive and fair.
Is this exclusion common in other countries? +
This specific exclusion is unique to the UK, but other countries have different eligibility criteria for childcare support. It's essential to research and understand the childcare support systems in other countries to learn from their experiences.
What if I'm not a PhD student but have a low income? +
Even if you're not a PhD student, you may still be eligible for childcare support. It's crucial to check your eligibility and explore your options with your local authority or childcare provider.
childcare support PhD students

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