Increase in the maximum amounts for childcare support in universal credit in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

New regulations have been issued in Northern Ireland that provide for an increase in the maximum amounts for childcare support in universal credit.

In force from 28 June 2023, the Universal Credit (Childcare) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (SR.No.90/2023) amend the Universal Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (SR.No.216/2016) (the 2016 Regulations) to increase –

• the maximum childcare costs element for one child to £950.92, up from £646.35; and
• the maximum childcare costs element for two or more children to £1,630.15, up from £1,108.04.

The new regulations replicate provision made under regulation 2(3) of the Universal Credit (Childcare) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI.No.593.2023) in Great Britain which also come into force on 28 June 2023.

NB – while the new regulations in Great Britain also make provision in relation to childcare costs being met upfront, the 2016 Regulations in Northern Ireland already include such provision under regulation 35(3A) by disregarding payments made for that purpose by funds provided from the Adviser Discretion Fund.

SR.No.90/2023 is available from legislation.gov.uk