New research by Ipsos MORI, jointly commissioned by Grandparents Plus, Save the Children and the Family and Childcare Trust, investigates the impact of being a grandparent on people's attitudes and choices, and whether these are further influenced by the amount of time spent caring for their grandchildren. The research shows that, although being a grandparent in itself does not significantly influence people's actions and attitudes, being a grandparent who spends a substantial amount of time caring for grandchildren is often associated with different attitudes and behaviours. A key issue that arises from the polling is the considerable contribution that millions of grandparents are making to provide much needed informal childcare and financial support for their grandchildren. 1.9 million grandparents have given up a job, reduced their hours, or taken time off work, to look after their grandchildren. In some cases this means a loss in income. These statistics reflect the strength of grandparenting ties and challenge the notion that the extended family is no longer important. There is strong support among grandparents and the public for the extension of some workers' rights, currently available to parents, so grandparents are able to look after their grandchildren while remaining in work. There is also a clear need to increase the affordability of formal childcare to reduce the pressure on grandparents to fill the gap. (author abstract)