Policies around support for parents and families have impacts on outcomes for children, those raising them, and the economy. The 2024 Labour manifesto stated it would “review the parental leave system, so it best supports working families, within our first year in government”.
The Employment Rights Bill currently contains provisions relating to Paternity leave and Unpaid Parental leave as well as reforms to address job insecurity and sick pay.
In recent years, governments have sought to change funding arrangements around childcare places. However, stakeholders have said that childcare can remain costly, which can limit the options of those with children when making childcare decisions. A 2025 report by the Coram Family and Childcare Trust said children whose parents do not meet income or work requirements are excluded from recent funding reforms.
This POSTnote would consider current economic and wider policy interventions that support parents and families, alongside evidence around their effectiveness, and proposals for reform. This may include around: provision of childcare places; childcare costs and subsidies; parental leave, and parental employment. It will consider any available evidence around the impacts on children of approaches taken. It may also look at international approaches in this area.