PARENTS on Universal Credit are set to get more cash to help them with spiralling childcare costs under ministerial proposals.
They are also expected to get the cash upfront rather than in arrears in a move designed to stop poor mums and dads spiralling into debt.
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Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride is looking at a string of radical proposals to help people back into work and take on more hours.
He is particularly keen to help parents boost their working hours amid growing alarm that eye-watering childcare costs are forcing many to stay at home.
The amount of cash mums and dads get to help with care is capped at £646 for one child and £1,108 for two.
It has not increased since 2016.
Ministers are looking at raising the amount of cash they get and paying it up front rather than after parents have forked out.
One Whitehall source told The Sun on Sunday: “Childcare costs is one of the things that is a particular barrier to getting people into work.
“It is coming up as a red flag.”
The plan has not been signed off yet but is being considered.
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The Sun on Sunday has campaigned to get childcare costs upfront in our Make Universal Credit Work campaign.
