"Childcare entitlements and budget 2023: Impact on UK parents and economy"

Unlike in England, Scotland and Wales, there is no scheme for free childcare in Northern Ireland. However, working parents can get some support for childcare costs from UK-wide schemes, such as tax credits, universal credit, childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare. All parents of three and four-year-olds can apply for at least 12-and-a-half hours a week of funded pre-school education during term time. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced a major extension of free childcare for families in England as part of the Budget. Northern Ireland will probably get what is known as a "Barnett consequential" - an equivalent amount of money based on the size of its population.