BORIS Johnson is considering a sweeping overhaul of childcare rules to help ease the cost of living crisis.
It came as ministers pledged to fire thousands of civil servants and tighten their belts in the war on waste – to ensure every penny was spent properly.
Children’s Minister Will Quince admitted yesterday that the cost of childcare is “expensive” for struggling parents, who on average spend a third of their income on it.
He will travel to France, Sweden and the Netherlands to see what laws to change to ease the cost of living crisis for millions of people.
He told the BBC: “For many parents, childcare costs are secondary to their mortgage or rent.
” It’s expensive. I will look at the regulations. »
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The Sun understands ministers are considering raising the cap on the number of children childminders can care for and relaxing qualifications regulations.
Ministers are also discussing whether to extend their free election offer of free childcare hours for 3- and 4-year-olds to 2-year-olds, or extend tax-free childcare support .
An insider said: “It’s all on the table. »
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi and Brexit Opportunities chief Jacob Rees Mogg are said to be leading the charge, with the Prime Minister willing to do more to help.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said yesterday: ‘I think we certainly recognize that this is an important exit.
“It’s something we would like to look into and work is underway. »
It came as Rishi Sunak’s right-hand man insisted there would be no more spending on bloated ministries while he tries to balance the books.
Simon Clarke has announced £3.4billion in waste savings, promising ministers will “do more for less” in future.
Mr Clarke also revealed his intention to reduce the number of people working in the civil service to pre-pandemic levels, with staff reductions of more than 7%.
It came as ministers announced plans to pay farmers to use green manures to tackle soaring costs.
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