Meet Chloe Douglas, a hardworking mum juggling a whirlwind schedule every week. Earning £13 an hour for her 30-hour shifts, Chloe’s dedication keeps her family afloat, yet she’s left with just £30 after childcare expenses. Does it surprise anyone that staying at home on benefits seems enticing?
Chloe’s day starts with waking her lively three-year-old twins, Rosie and Riley, and walking them to nursery in Whitstable, Kent. Then she’s off on a 40-minute bike ride to her warehouse job. Despite her exhausting routine, she’s sacrificing precious moments with her kids just to cover nursery costs, which still set her back £150 per child every month.
Pregnant with twins in 2022, Chloe didn’t expect to face double the expenses and limited financial aid. Little did she know, having twins wouldn’t qualify for additional financial help with nursery fees. Government-backed free childcare covers 30 hours, but Chloe still shoulders significant costs.
Her monthly take-home pay is approximately £1,510, yet non-working parents can claim up to £1,835 in benefits, making Chloe question why more aren’t tempted to stay at home. For Chloe, working is more than just a paycheck—it’s about progression and making life better for her kids.
The financial strain doesn’t deter Chloe from dreaming of driving lessons or a future beyond this paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. Meanwhile, the twins’ dad contributes £50 weekly, but Chloe is the backbone of the household, bearing the financial weight.
Chloe isn’t after special treatment, just a fair shot at providing for her family. With potential extra support through Universal Credit alongside her work, Chloe could see some relief, especially with recent policy changes to help upfront nursery costs.
Can our systems adapt better to parents like Chloe who work tirelessly but struggle financially? Her hope is simple: recognition of real childcare costs and fair support to help families thrive in today’s economy.