Budget 2023: Free childcare hours extended to children aged between nine months and two years old

Jeremy Hunt used his Spring Budget to unveil seven childcare changes, which will essentially give parents a £6.5k boost to their finances. We explain the changes and what they really mean for parents.

Young children playing with colorful shapes
(Image credit: © Getty images)

Parents could be hundreds of pounds better off after Jeremy Hunt revealed a series of changes to the childcare system in his inaugural Budget.

The chancellor said he wanted to “reform our childcare system”, and noted that the UK has “one of the most expensive childcare systems in the world”.

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Ruth Emery
Contributing editor

Ruth is an award-winning financial journalist with more than 15 years' experience of working on national newspapers, websites and specialist magazines.

She is passionate about helping people feel more confident about their finances. She was previously editor of Times Money Mentor, and prior to that was deputy Money editor at The Sunday Times. 

A multi-award winning journalist, Ruth started her career on a pensions magazine at the FT Group, and has also worked at Money Observer and Money Advice Service. 

Outside of work, she is a mum to two young children, while also serving as a magistrate and an NHS volunteer.