Conservatives vow to eliminate £100,000 income limit on childcare support

During the party's Birmingham conference, Conservatives pledged to abolish the £100,000 income threshold that currently prevents higher-earning families from accessing free or tax-free childcare in England. Kemi Badenoch argued the rule penalises hard work and discourages families from having children, while shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith framed the change as the initial phase of a wider tax simplification agenda. The policy would be financed by reducing staff at executive non-departmental public bodies such as Arts Council England and the Environment Agency, expected to generate £1.6 billion in savings by 2029-30, enough to cover the £700 million expense of removing the cliff edge. The Conservatives claim the reform will be both pro-family and pro-growth, encouraging more people to stay in employment regardless of income level.