Wealthier families benefit more from childcare expansion

Research shows that in England, wealthier families are six times more likely to benefit from the government's childcare expansion than low-income families. The eligibility criteria, requiring both parents to work at least 16 hours a week, excludes many low-income households. As a result, an estimated 1 million children could be left out of the expansion. Experts warn that this exacerbates inequality and hinders social mobility. The expansion could also have positive economic benefits for the Treasury.