Grandparents provide 7.3 billion worth of childcare a year

The analysis by the charities Grandparents Plus and Age UK reveals that both the number of children looked after by their grandparents and the length of time that grandparents care for their grandchildren is rising.

It says that between 2009/10 and 2010/11, the number of children under 14 receiving informal childcare from their grandparents went up from 1.3 million to 1.6 million.

The total number of hours of childcare provided by grandmothers and grandfathers over the year also rose from 1.3 billion to 1.7 billion, a 35 per cent increase.

The analysis, which draws on data from the national Understanding Society Survey that includes information on the childcare usage of over 11,000 children, is included in a new briefing paper produced by Grandparents Plus.

Sam Smethers, chief executive of Grandparents Plus, said, ‘Grandparents are throwing a lifeline to families squeezed by falling incomes and rising childcare costs. The contribution they are making within their families and the wider economy is enormous and rising.

‘Research shows that grandparents providing childcare tend to be grandmothers who are younger, fitter and healthier, but no longer working. They are the very women who are being expected to remain in work longer to pay for healthcare and pensions in older age.

‘The risk is of an emerging childcare gap, as grandmothers stay in paid work and are no longer available to provide care, with mothers leaving the labour market as a result.’

She added, ‘The Government needs to respond by increasing the affordability and availability of formal childcare, and making it easier for grandparents to combine work and caring responsibilities. We need more flexible working and greater flexibility in the way parental leave can be used. A useful first step would be to make emergency leave available for grandparents when children are ill or school closed.’