Opinion

Dr Jo Jenkinson: Help postgrad parents with childcare costs

Why the Government should allow postgraduate students to access childcare schemes such as the grant offered to undergraduates
Dr Jo Jenkinson
Dr Jo Jenkinson

As the GW4 Alliance of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter universities, we have written to government minsters calling on them to extend the current undergraduate Childcare Grant to include postgraduate students, to help ensure that those with children are not disincentivised from studying for higher qualifications.

For many, completing postgraduate studies is an important step in progressing in their careers, reskilling or accessing the roles that require these qualifications.

However, there is currently a gap in childcare funding for postgraduate students. Those studying for Master’s and PhD degrees are ineligible for Childcare Grants, which are in place for full-time undergraduates. Many are also unable to claim the childcare benefits available for workers, including the 30 free hours, unless they are in substantial paid employment as well as their studies.

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