Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much compensation has been paid (a) in total, (b) on average for individual claims and (c) to what number of people for failings of the Childcare Service website.

The vast majority of parents have been able to apply for and use Tax-Free Childcare without difficulty. Where parents have missed out on Tax-Free Childcare payments HMRC will pay compensation to reimburse them.

As at 12 March 2018, HMRC has paid a total of £1,880,859 to parents in lieu of missed Tax-Free Childcare payments and the average payment was £280. HMRC also makes redress payments to recompense parents for inconvenience and expenses such as telephone calls to the helpline. At 12 March 2018 HMRC had paid a total of £96,751in redress to parents and the average payment was £62.