Families in Britain are struggling. Although the job retention scheme and its scaled down successor, the job support scheme, have and will spare some job losses – without significant further government action next year, unemployment could more than double from pre-COVID-19 levels.

This paper makes the case for a "family stimulus" – a much-needed boost to the income of hard-hit families through the social security system and targeted investment in childcare to ensure the continued functioning of the sector.

This will put cash directly into the hands of families and provide a stimulus for the economy, whilst improving outcomes for children.