03/11/2025
Treasury Urged To Boost Childcare Support And Reverse Benefit Cap
Finance Minister John O'Dowd has pressed the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to focus the forthcoming Autumn Budget on supporting families and workers across Northern Ireland, with a particular emphasis on the rising costs of childcare.
The Westminster Autumn Budget is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 26 November 2025.
Minister O'Dowd argued that substantial investment and support for working families are essential prerequisites for achieving economic growth and improving public services. His specific recommendations focus on enhancing the existing Tax-Free Childcare scheme, which he believes is crucial for driving economic growth and increasing labour market participation.
Minister O'Dowd commented: "Economic growth and improved public services cannot be achieved without meaningful investment and support for working families.
"Ahead of the Autumn Budget I have urged the Treasury to consider enhancements to the Tax-Free Childcare scheme. Affordable childcare is essential to improving labour market participation and driving economic growth. That is why I am specifically calling for the support rate to be increased from 20% to 30% and for the annual cap per child of £2,000 to be reviewed. I have also asked that the Autumn Budget be used to reverse the two Child Benefit Cap – recognising the hardship this is placing on families."
The Minister also addressed the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, making it clear to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury that there should be no further austerity measures that place an "unfair burden on people, businesses or public services."
Additionally, Minister O'Dowd pressed the Treasury on the allocation of Local Growth Funding. He argued that the current funding profile, which is heavily weighted towards Capital spending, is placing the community and voluntary sector at risk due to a severe reduction in the Resource budget. Finally, he called for a reduction in the VAT rate to support the hospitality sector, ensuring it can compete "on a level playing field in the all-Ireland economy."
The Westminster Autumn Budget is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 26 November 2025.
Minister O'Dowd argued that substantial investment and support for working families are essential prerequisites for achieving economic growth and improving public services. His specific recommendations focus on enhancing the existing Tax-Free Childcare scheme, which he believes is crucial for driving economic growth and increasing labour market participation.
Minister O'Dowd commented: "Economic growth and improved public services cannot be achieved without meaningful investment and support for working families.
The Minister also addressed the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, making it clear to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury that there should be no further austerity measures that place an "unfair burden on people, businesses or public services."
Additionally, Minister O'Dowd pressed the Treasury on the allocation of Local Growth Funding. He argued that the current funding profile, which is heavily weighted towards Capital spending, is placing the community and voluntary sector at risk due to a severe reduction in the Resource budget. Finally, he called for a reduction in the VAT rate to support the hospitality sector, ensuring it can compete "on a level playing field in the all-Ireland economy."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.