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Can G overnment Intervention in Childcare be Justified?
Author(s) -
Paull Gillian
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
economic affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.24
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 1468-0270
pISSN - 0265-0665
DOI - 10.1111/ecaf.12062
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , economic interventionism , government (linguistics) , public economics , business , market failure , economics , industrial organization , marketing , microeconomics , political science , medicine , nursing , politics , linguistics , philosophy , law
Childcare is not like other goods and services. Its inherent nature creates unusual challenges for efficient delivery by the market, while its usage can have social as well as private consequences. G overnment involvement in childcare may therefore be justified to improve the efficiency of delivery or achieve social objectives, but its effectiveness will depend on whether policy measures can better address the challenges of childcare provision than the market. This article reviews the justification for the recent rapid development of childcare policy in the UK and considers the potential benefits and drawbacks of this growing government intervention.