535 | Could you save £8,000 a year on childcare?

535 | Could you save £8,000 a year on childcare?

Author: Andy Webb September 14, 2026 Duration: 22:54

Childcare can be one of the biggest costs facing families, with full-time childcare for a child under two averaging £263 a week.

In this episode, Steve is joined by Amelia Murray to explain the help available to parents — including two government schemes that could save some families up to £8,000 a year.

They cover who qualifies, how the schemes work, how much you could save and why around 400,000 families may be missing out on support they're entitled to.

If childcare costs are taking a big bite out of your budget, this episode will help you understand what help is available and how to claim it.

Government Childcare checker: https://childcare.beststartinlife.gov.uk/

For links and further reading head to becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats

ABOUT CASH CHATS

Cash Chats is the award-winning podcast brought to you by the team of money geeks at Be Clever With Your Cash, sharing the latest updates from the world of personal finance and helping you to navigate the everyday money challenges we all face. Show notes can be found at becleverwithyourcash.com/podcast.

BE CLEVER WITH YOUR CASH ON SOCIAL

twitter.com/BeCleverCash

instagram.com/becleverwithyourcash  

youtube.com/@becleverwithyourcash

 

GET OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

You'll also get a free Quidco bonus for signing up

https://becleverwithyourcash.com/newsletter/

MUSIC

The music is Easter Island by Lonely Punk and provided on a creative commons licence 


Talking about money can feel awkward, but it doesn't have to be a mystery. Cash Chats UK Money & Personal Finance podcast strips away the jargon and gets straight to practical advice you can use. Award-winning broadcaster Andy Webb, who founded BeCleverWithYourCash.com, is joined by deputy editor Amelia Murray to break down the complexities of personal finance in a way that feels like a helpful conversation with friends who know their stuff. Each episode digs into the real questions about saving effectively, spotting opportunities to make your money work harder, and managing your day-to-day finances without the stress. You'll hear straightforward strategies and honest discussions that cut through the noise, all focused on the UK financial landscape. Whether you're just starting to get your finances in order or looking to refine your investment approach, this podcast delivers actionable insights across business, education, and how-to topics. It’s a reliable source for anyone wanting to feel more confident and clever with their cash.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Cash Chats UK Money & Personal Finance podcast
Podcast Episodes
523 | Why gold keeps rising - and the best ways to buy it [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:43
This week on Cash Chats, host Steve Alderton and Editor of BeCleverWithYourCash.com James Andrews talk about gold! As the price of gold reached a high of over £4,000 an ounce in March this year, we look at why we've seen…
522 | How to beat the "most hated tax" in the UK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:41
This week on Cash Chats, host Steve Alderton and Editor of BeCleverWithYourCash.com James Andrews talk about inheritance tax and how from April 2027, the pension and death benefits will become part of the deceased's esta…
521 | Millions pile savings into ISAs - why they're entirely right [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:59
This week on Cash Chats, host Steve Alderton and Editor of BeCleverWithYourCash.com James Andrews talk about the £12 billon that savers moved in to Cash ISAs in April. Where has that money come from, why the shift in sav…
520 | The reality behind the energy price cap rise and how to beat it [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:02
This week on Cash Chats, host Steve Alderton and Editor of BeCleverWithYourCash.com James Andrews talk about the recent hike to the energy price cap. They cover why we have a cap, what influences it and how to save on yo…
515 | How Klarna makes money offering 0% loans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:25
This week on Cash Chats, host Steve Alderton and money expert James Andrews chat about Blenheim Palace offering Klarna as an option to spread your payments for tickets over £100. Klarna can be a great way to purchase lar…