Julie Calls for 'Granny State' to be Recognised

Julie Morgan, MP for Cardiff North, called for more recognition of the informal childcare that many relatives and friends provide for children during the Welsh Grand Committee in the House of Commons this week.

Julie Morgan MP said:

“In Wales, two thirds of childcare is carried out informally by relatives and friends.

“But at the moment, only formal childcare is recognised for financial recompense. Care has to be in a formal setting – by a registered child carer or a registered nursery – and this doesn’t recognise the reality of the situation in Wales.

“If there could be some financial recognition of the role that grandparents in particular play, it might be possible for even more parents to move into work and move out of poverty – and experience the social benefits of work, as well as the financial ones.

“Last week, the Leader of the House, Harriet Harman, said that sometimes the Government was criticised for being a nanny state for providing support for families with children, but like her, I would be very happy for us to be called a “granny state” where the role that grandparents play in families is fully acknowledged.”