Affordability and accessibility of childcare varies across the 4 UK nations but the rising cost of childcare has been well documented in recent years.
'Tax Free Childcare' helps some families with the cost of childcare in the UK however it has strict eligibility criteria. The OU Students Association should lobby government to extend the scheme to students regardless of their employment status.
Supporting those with caring responsibilities to access childcare will help provide those who need it with more time to devote to their studies.