Families to Save Thousands Through New Measures

September 2, 2025

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Government’s Cost-of-Living Support: How Councils Can Deliver More with Coordinate

The UK government has unveiled a major package of cost-of-living support that will significantly reduce childcare costs for working parents and expand provision for families on lower incomes. These initiatives offer councils a critical opportunity to support their communities while meeting national objectives.

Here’s what’s changing:

30 Hours Free Childcare — Now Extended from 9 Months to Reception

From this month, eligible working parents can claim 30 hours of free childcare per week, available from the term after their child turns 9 months until they start school.
For a typical family, this represents a potential saving of £7,500 per year.
The government has also increased investment to ensure childcare providers can expand places, with thousands of new school-based nurseries being funded across the country.

For councils, this means:

Increased demand for early years provision.
A need to coordinate places across both school-based and private providers.
The challenge of ensuring parents know about, and can successfully apply for, the entitlement, particularly with application windows as short as three days.

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme Extended

The government has committed £600 million to extend HAF for another three years.
Eligible children will continue to access free meals, enriching activities, and safe spaces during Easter, summer, and Christmas holidays.
On average, families save around £300 a year through HAF support, but the benefits go far beyond finances — improving nutrition, social engagement, and child wellbeing.

For councils, this means:

Renewed opportunities to partner with schools, community groups, and providers.
The need to manage large volumes of places and bookings each holiday period.
Stronger reporting expectations to demonstrate outcomes and justify future funding.

Why Councils Should Work with Coordinate

While these initiatives promise huge benefits, they also bring challenges for local authorities: rising demand, complex provider networks, and the need for effective community outreach. This is where Coordinate adds value.

How Coordinate Helps Councils Deliver

Streamlined administration — Simplify bookings, payments, eligibility checks, and communications.
Maximised take-up — Make it easier for families to find, access, and use their entitlements.
Provider support — Give schools, nurseries, and community groups the tools they need to deliver places confidently.
Evidence & reporting — Real-time data dashboards to demonstrate the impact of childcare and HAF programmes.
Scalable delivery — As schemes expand, Coordinate grows with your council, ensuring smooth rollout at every stage.

Conclusion: A Chance to Lead with Impact

The government’s investment in childcare and HAF creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ease financial pressures and improve outcomes for families. But success depends on effective local delivery.

By partnering with Coordinate, councils can: