News and Insights

Details of £400 energy payment for households revealed – for England, Scotland and Wales only

Policy Insight
1st August 2022

Details of how the £400 energy payment will be made to households in Northern Ireland are still to be determined.

What is Shared Parental Leave and Pay?

Policy Insight
22nd July 2022

Find out more about Shared Parental Leave and Pay and whether this could be a good option for your family when you when you have welcomed a new baby.

Help with back to school costs

Policy Insight
18th July 2022

Eligible parents encouraged to apply for Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance by end of July.

330 parents supported with upfront childcare costs in Northern Ireland through the Advisor Discretion Fund

Policy Insight
8th July 2022

Parents on Universal Credit or other income-based benefits can get support with upfront childcare costs to help them move into work or increase their hours.

Rise in the National Insurance threshold means fewer people will pay National Insurance

Policy Insight
7th July 2022

From 6 July more than two million lower-income workers across the UK are exempt from paying National Insurance.

Critical importance of the early years for children and the vital role of early years workforce must be recognised.

Policy Insight
27th June 2022

Two new campaigns have been launched in England to boost the profile of the early years and childcare sector.

Enabling parents to have a family and a career is good for business and good for our economy

Press Release
23rd June 2022

Why investment in childcare, offering proper parental leave, and taking a flexible approach to working patterns is good for business and good for our economy.

School uniform grant in Northern Ireland increased by 20% for the new school year

Press Release
20th June 2022

Education Minister announces investment of £1 million to increase school uniform grant for low income families for the 2022/23 academic year.

Mothers taking earnings hit due to difficulties accessing or affording childcare

Policy Insight
17th June 2022

The Social Market Foundation publishes data highlighting how difficulties in accessing or affording childcare impact on women’s earnings.

Cost of living payments will start to issue in July

Policy Insight
16th June 2022

Direct cost of living payments will be made to households in receipt of means tested benefits.