Ninety five per cent of registered childminders tell Unite that the viability of their businesses is uncertain following onerous tax changes

Trade union Unite, which represents the majority of self-employed registered childminders (RCMs) in Northern Ireland, has called on health minister Mike Nesbitt to intervene to ensure the release of findings of his department’s consultation on minimal standards in childminding.

The union made its call after a survey found the vast majority of child minders were considering leaving the occupation due to ratio rules below other UK regions and tax changes.

The department was seeking views on the potential to increase child minding ratios in Northern Ireland - necessary to raise incomes and secure the future of the profession and a key demand of RCMs.

Incomes of self-employed RCMs have been restricted due to the region having lower childminding ratio limits than those in force in other UK regions. Recent changes introduced as part of the wider transition to Making Tax Digital places additional onerous administrative responsibilities and removed an important 10 per cent ‘wear and tear’ allowance.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, said: “The results of this survey are stark. Childminders in Northern Ireland are being squeezed to breaking point. The future of the profession is in doubt – raising concerns for workers with dependent children. Stormont needs to act now to protect childminders.”

Unite surveyed found:

·        98 per cent said the tax changes would have a significant impact on their service provision.

·        95 per cent told the union they were considering the viability of their business and their ability to continue as a result.

·        17 per cent said they were very unlikely and 53 per cent said they were either ‘unlikely’ or ‘somewhat unlikely’ to remain in the childminding profession over the next two years.

Regional women’s and equalities officer Collette O’Hagan said, “The department of health consulted on proposals to raise childminding ratios in Northern Ireland last June. The results of that consultation have never been published. Registered childminders deserve to know where they stand.

“If this sector continues to shrink, it will have a devastating impact on working households. It is already difficult and costly to get a childcare place. Stormont needs to recognise the scale of the crisis in the childminding sector and act.”

ENDS… 

Notes to editors: Unite had responses from 306 RCMs in Northern Ireland to its survey.

For further information or to arrange an interview contact Donal O'Cofaigh, Unite campaigns, communications & press (NI). tel. 07810 157926.