Addressing Congress, Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary: “Childcare is a trade union issue. It's an economic issue and it's an equality issue. However, like so many other things in this country, after 13 years of Tory mismanagement, childcare in this country is broken. As a result of Conservative failures, we are now struggling under an overpriced system, that is failing. It's failing parents who need good quality affordable childcare. It is failing childcare workers, who are often underpaid, overworked and underappreciated. And Congress, it is failing children, who are missing out on opportunities and access to early education.
 
“A successful childcare system should support children to thrive. It should enable parents to work the jobs and the hours that they choose to. Childcare should break down barriers. Instead, the UK's current system is a barrier to work for those in lower paid jobs. It prevents parents from progressing, trapping families in poverty and ingraining inequality.
 
“In Usdaw, we have 360,000 members who work in the private sector. Many are in lower paid sectors such as retail and warehousing. The majority are women. Childcare, and in particular the cost of childcare, is a huge issue for our members. The cost of childcare, particularly for younger children, is simply unaffordable for many parents in lower paid jobs. And even where there are free hours available, the system is complicated and difficult to navigate.
 
“We know that many families don’t know what they are entitled to and many more are left with huge gaps in provision; forcing them to rely on informal childcare, often from grandparents or older siblings. Or forcing parents to work 'opposite shifts', barely able to spend a minute together as a family.
 
“In a prosperous nation like ours, it's simply not right that so many people are held back by an overpriced and under-resourced childcare system. And it’s simply not right that so many childcare workers are on contracts providing minimum wage and minimum terms and conditions. A terrible reflection of the value placed on a dedicated workforce, which cares for and nurtures our young people.
 
“Our society needs a better childcare system. A system that works for working parents. A system that allows women to achieve their potential at work. A system that supports our children, and our grandchildren, to thrive, and a system that values the dedicated workers within it.
 
“Every family is different and every family's childcare needs will be different. There will not be a one-size-fits-all answer to this problem. There is already a range of childcare options for families, and we must make sure they all deliver for working parents. Whether it’s nurseries, childminders, breakfast clubs, after school clubs or holiday clubs. These providers are a vital part of our social and economic infrastructure. And they should be treated as such by the Government.
 
“Accessible, affordable and available childcare would have a huge impact for low income working families. It would empower parents to work the jobs and hours they choose. It would support children and for many, it would transform their life chances. I urge the TUC to campaign for a childcare system that works for working people.
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 350,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion