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Universal Credit: Childcare

Asked by Cat EcclesLabourDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 26 June 2025UIN 61698

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to replace the provision of upfront childcare costs with Universal Credit with advance payments.

Answered by Sir Stephen Timms

There are currently no plans to change the way upfront childcare costs are paid. Claimants of the Universal Credit childcare element can claim upfront childcare costs through the Flexible Support Fund, to help ease them into the Universal Credit childcare costs payment cycle.

There is also help with upfront childcare costs for eligible Universal Credit customers through Budgeting Advances.

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