Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said a future Tory government would remove the earnings limit that cuts off funded and tax-free childcare in England once a parent earns more than 100,000 pounds, while keeping the pensions triple lock.
Kemi Badenoch said a Conservative government would scrap the earnings cliff edge that removes childcare support in England when a parent earns more than 100,000 pounds a year. She told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg that people who work harder should not be punished for doing so.
Under current rules, families qualify for funded hours and tax-free childcare only if no parent earns above that threshold. All three- and four-year-olds remain eligible for 15 hours regardless of income. The same 100,000-pound line applies to tax-free childcare, under which the government adds 2 pounds for every 8 pounds paid in, up to 2,000 pounds per child a year.
The Conservatives said they would remove the threshold entirely for tax-free childcare and free hours if they return to power. BBC reported the limit has been unchanged since it was set under the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition. The announcement came as members gathered for the party conference in Birmingham.
Badenoch also said the party would keep the pensions triple lock, calling it the right policy for pensioners. BBC's live coverage noted Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice called her a fantasist and said Reform intends to win her seat.
The pledge is an opposition policy, not a change in law. No costing was included in the BBC reports used here.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Badenoch said people should not be punished for working harder.
- Richard Tice called Badenoch a fantasist, BBC reported.
- The threshold itself was introduced by a previous Conservative-led government, which FT noted she is now vowing to end.