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Supporting and Empowering Single Parents to Achieve Their Business Professional and Personal Goals
Govt recognises importance of informal childcare (26/04/2009)
INFORMAL CHILDCAREThe government's decision to offer financial support to grandparents who provide childcare has been welcomed by the Grandparents Association. David Shields, spokesperson for the group, referred to the move as 'a step in the right direction' for recognising the hours many grandparents and adult family members spend looking after children. 'We are obviously very pleased that something is finally happening that recognises grandparents as looking after their grandchildren and all the work they do,' he said. 'If you look back in history, not even that far back this would be something that was common practice.' According to the Budget, from 2011, grandparents who care for grandchildren aged 12 or younger for 20 hours or more a week will be able to gain National Insurance credits toward the basic State Pension. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that lone parent, working mothers are more likely to use other types of informal childcare, such as ex-partners, non-resident parents or other relatives.
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