Families with child under age of one eligible to form support bubble

Boris Johnson today announced the Government’s support bubble policy will be broadened when the England-wide lockdown ends, in a move which will benefit him personally. 

Existing rules state that single adult households can form a support bubble with another household. 

But from December 2 the circumstances in which people can form a bubble are being extended to include when a family has a child under the age of one. 

The policy change means young families will be able to link up with another household to help with childcare. 

This could benefit Mr Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds after the birth of their son Wilfred in April of this year. 

Boris Johnson and partner Carries Symonds, pictured with their son Wilfred, could benefit from the Government’s updated support bubble policy

The Government has faced criticism during the coronavirus pandemic over its support bubble policy because of its fairly narrow nature. 

Households in a support bubble can visit each other, stay overnight, and visit public places together.

The decision to loosen the rules is likely to be welcomed by many families with young children who will benefit from help with childcare from grandparents or other family members. 

The support bubble policy is also being changed so it can be applied to other groups in need of help. 

From December 2, parents with a child under the age of five who needs continuous care because of a disability will be able to form a support bubble with another household. 

Households with a single adult carer, for example an elderly couple where one person has dementia and is looked after by the other, will also be permitted to form a support bubble. 

The Government’s Covid-19 Winter Plan which sets out the rules which will apply from December 2 states: ‘The Government is expanding eligibility of “support bubbles” . 

‘This will help mitigate the impacts of the restrictions on parents of children aged under one (or under five, but with a disability that necessitates continuous care) and for those households where a single adult cares for someone with a serious disability.’ 

In simple terms a support bubble means those within it can behave as if they are in a single household. 

Support bubbles will continue to be allowed in circumstances where one household contains only one adult.

The new eligibility for families with a child under the age of one will apply regardless of how many other adults are in the household.