Today the Welsh Government has published its draft Budget for 2024-2025.
Oxfam Cymru says the increased spend on childcare provision in Wales is a positive step, but it falls short of the bold action needed to tackle child poverty and gender inequality in Wales.
The Welsh Government has committed to a higher hourly rate for childcare providers. However, campaigners say this this will still leave too many families trapped in poverty, struggling to access affordable, high-quality childcare.
Sarah Rees, Head of Oxfam Cymru, said: “The new commitments on childcare while welcome, barely scratch the surface of the action needed to address years of chronic underfunding and the deeply dysfunctional, disjointed patchwork of funded childcare provision that continues to force parents across Wales out of the workforce and into poverty.
“You can’t fix a broken leg with a bandage. It’s time to stop putting childcare in a box labelled ‘too difficult to fix’ and instead put the hard yards in to deliver the fundamental reform required. Families deserve action, not excuses.”
Childcare remains a major barrier for families in Wales, with more than half of children in poverty living in households where the youngest child is aged 0-4.
Despite today’s announcement, no support exists for children under two, leaving low-income families, particularly single mothers, bearing the brunt of high costs and limited options. For many families, childcare costs consume nearly half their income.
Campaigners say that without action on childcare, and following a dismal recent report card on the Welsh Government’s stagnant progress towards achieving gender equality, Ministers’ claims to lead a feminist government are nothing more than hollow posturing.
Oxfam Cymru is calling for the Welsh Government to work with the Expert Advisory Group on Childcare – a collective body of non-profit, third-sector organisations focused on childcare – to develop a new blueprint for funded childcare provision in Wales.
Campaigners say that as well as simplifying and expanding existing provision, Ministers should commit over the long-term to a fully-funded, phased expansion of childcare provision to cover all children aged 0-4, with clear targets and transparency on funding allocations.
Sarah Rees added: “Wales deserves more than half-measures and short-term fixes. We need bold action and a clear vision to break the cycle of poverty and gender inequality now and for future generations.”
/ENDS
For more information and interviews, please contact: Rebecca Lozza, Oxfam Media and Communications Adviser, Scotland and Wales: rlozza1@oxfam.org.uk / 07917738450
Notes to Editors
- Read Oxfam Cymru’s 2023 report Little Steps, Big Struggles, Childcare in Wales which lifts the lid on over 300 parents’ experiences of navigating Wales’ complex and costly childcare system: https://bit.ly/4aaN6Y9
- Read the Expert Advisory Group on Childcare’s pre-Budget briefing for Senedd Members here: https://bit.ly/3VnZIWn