Recommendations
For business:
Challenge outdated assumptions around flexible working in firms and, where possible, adopt a presumption in favour of flexibility from job advert onwards, to help employees manage their work-life balance effectively, including childcare costs.
For government:
Reduce National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for employees. Start with raising the threshold for employee NICs to £10,500, the level of the income tax personal allowance in 2015/16, in steps up to 2020/21.
Close the gap between free provision of childcare and statutory maternity pay by offering 15 hours of free childcare to all children aged one and two and by extending statutory maternity pay from 39 to 52 weeks. Aim to further increase the number of hours of free childcare in time.
Read our factsheet about the Immediate steps for A better off Britain here