This report, produced by Dr Thomas C. Stephens in partnership with the New Economics Foundation (NEF), Pregnant Then Screwed, and funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Scotland and Oxfam Scotland, explores how Scotland could make childcare more affordable and fair. It models an expanded universal childcare offer — adding funded hours for children under two, retaining 30 hours for 3–4 year-olds, and capping what families spend on extra hours at 5% of their income.
The findings show that this approach would be more progressive than Scotland’s current system, especially benefiting low-income and priority families. It has the potential to reduce child poverty, support parents’ employment, and deliver long-term gains that could outweigh the upfront investment required from government.
To read the full report, download the PDF by clicking the link below:
