Ahead of their annual conference in Birmingham, the Conservative Party has proposed a new policy to extend free childcare benefits to high-earning families. The plan, which carries an estimated price tag of £700 million, seeks to address the current system’s 'cliff edge,' where parents earning more than £100,000 lose access to government-funded childcare entitlements.

Under the existing framework established during Rishi Sunak’s premiership, families in England are eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week, but this support is restricted by income thresholds. Kemi Badenoch’s party argues that removing these caps will provide necessary relief for working parents who are currently excluded from the program.

This announcement follows a previous proposal by the party to abolish most stamp duty, a move that would also primarily benefit wealthier taxpayers. While the Conservatives frame these policies as necessary economic adjustments to support working families, critics suggest the measures prioritize the financial interests of the affluent over broader social support. The party intends to use the upcoming conference to solidify these proposals as part of their broader economic platform.