Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will she hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential impact of Making Tax Digital on home-based childcare providers in Northern Ireland.

HM Treasury ministers and officials engage regularly with the Northern Ireland Executive.

Childminders play a vital role in childcare. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers.

Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income tax from April 2026. The government will monitor the impact of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for Income Tax.

Childminders can continue to claim tax relief for wear and tear by deducting the actual cost of buying, repairing or replacing items. They can also deduct the cost of business expenses such as utilities, cleaning and equipment. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.