There is a lack of evidence for many of the claims made on behalf of universal childcare, according to an in-depth review of the academic literature in both the UK and elsewhere.

Commissioned by the Civitas think-tank, researcher Maria Lyons found that of 40 studies examined for the report, “not a single one was able to demonstrate a clear and lasting benefit for children under 3 of attending childcare rather than being cared for by their own parents”.

The claim that universal childcare from a young age gives every child “the best start in life” is, the author concludes, “simply not backed up by evidence”.

What benefit is shown is mostly in children from the most deprived backgrounds. But, as Lyons points out, though this is typically presented as a positive for social mobility, it also means that “the policy has failed to benefit the majority of participating children”. Universal childcare is also not the most effective way to help disadvantaged children, whose parents are less likely to use subsidised childcare, and who might instead benefit more from targeted intervention.