For many couples having the parents chip in to help with childcare takes the edge off the often crippling cost of childcare. But it’s sadly not payable or tax exempt with schemes like childcare vouchers and the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit. But why not?
Grandparents should be paid for looking after their grandchildren and given up to two weeks’ “granny leave”, campaigners have demanded.
Extra state funding and time off work is needed for grandparents because the credit crunch means more and more will be called on to provide childcare and other support, the charity Grandparents Plus said.
Working older relatives should receive national insurance credits for time spent looking after youngsters and be entitled to two weeks’ “granny leave” in a newborn’s first year, the report recommends.
