Council leaders plead with Matt Hancock to revoke Northeast child care ban

Political leaders from across the Northeast have written to Matt Hancock pleading with him to reverse the government’s decision to ban family members from helping with childcare under the new lockdown rules.

Seven local authorities have written to the Secretary of Health asking him to modify the new local Covid-19 restriction measures to allow families to continue with their usual child care arrangements.

The new rules, announced Thursday, say that while some people can enter private childcare homes, they can only do so if they are “registered providers,” that is, babysitters or nannies who are paid to be there.

This left some parents depending on their grandparents or relatives for childcare while they work, faced with the difficult decision between missing work, financing expensive childcare, or breaking the rules.

In their letter to the Department of Social Healthcare, the leaders of Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland, and County Durham requested that people be allowed into other childcare homes while the primary caregiver was away. at work.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock approved a series of new regulations to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but rejected this request from the leaders of local Northeast authorities.

Earl Nick Forbes, Newcastle City Council Leader, said: “Across our region we are aware of the important role that friends and families play in caring for children to working parents and we requested that the government include this exemption for don’t hinder those families. who continue to work hard in incredibly challenging circumstances.

“Unfortunately, this application was rejected by the Department of Health and Social Assistance, and we urgently need to revoke this decision.

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“It is incredibly disappointing that this question has not been answered, as many parents will now be faced with the difficult decision of whether to work or care for their children. Not all families can afford childcare, many extended families depend on the goodwill of their relatives and we now ask that the government urgently reconsider this decision and acknowledge the reality faced by many families throughout the Northeast. “

Jonathan Walker, Policy Director for the North East England Chamber of Commerce, said: “Childcare provided by close family and friends is an invisible pillar on which our economy rests. It allows parents to return to work, provides flexibility for those who work long or irregular hours, and is an invaluable resource for sole traders and new entrepreneurs. The government announcement has already created a great deal of uncertainty for both employees and employers.

“Furthermore, exclusion from informal child care is a profoundly regressive step. It will negatively affect parents and caregivers, especially those with lower incomes, more profoundly at a time when we should be building an economic recovery that is fair to all. The government must immediately amend these restrictions. “

New restrictions introduced to deal with rising infection rates came into effect on Friday, September 18.

They include a ban on social mixing with other households and new regulations for the hospitality trade among a host of changes.