What Could the £4 billion Expansion of Childcare Support mean for the West Midlands Economy?

In the 2023 Spring Statement the UK Government announced plans to expand free childcare to children between 9 months and 2 years old. Matt Lyons and Abi Taylor investigate what this could mean for the West Midlands. The UK Government announced a £4bn childcare expansion policy in England. Key objectives of the policy include removing … Continue reading “What Could the £4 billion Expansion of Childcare Support mean for the West Midlands Economy?”

International Women’s Week: Inequality Between Men and Women in the Workplace

Inequality between men and women in the workplace takes on many forms, including unequal pay, disparities in working hours and promotions, and differences in social norms and caring responsibilities. In celebration of International Women’s Week, Sara Hassan, Charlotte Hoole and Abigail Taylor discuss women in the workplace and how inequality can affect various factors like … Continue reading “International Women’s Week: Inequality Between Men and Women in the Workplace”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Childcare and Implications for Participation in the Labour Market

In this blog, Dr Sara Hassan looks at the impact of COVID-19 on the childcare sector, a sector already facing significant challenges before the pandemic, which then saw a massive drop in usage when lockdowns began.  Since lockdown, many working parents have experienced difficulty in being able to work with some childcare providers closing their … Continue reading “The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Childcare and Implications for Participation in the Labour Market”