Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reasons the childcare vouchers scheme is closing to new applicants in October 2018.

We estimate that around 2 million families are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare. As of 28 June 2018 over 336,000 applications have been made for Tax-Free Childcare and of these 313,000 been found eligible for the scheme. As of the 31 May 2018 over 74,000 families have paid money into their Tax-Free Childcare accounts and received the government top up.

The main eligibility criteria for Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare have not changed since they were introduced. To help parents to return to work we have allowed parents to apply for 30 hours free childcare and Tax-Free Childcare 31 days, rather than 14, before returning to, or starting to, work.

Additionally, from September 2018, we have extended 30 hours free childcare to foster children, where their foster parents work outside fostering. To receive 30 hours free childcare it must be consistent with the child’s care plan.

There have been no policy changes to 15 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds since the policy was introduced.

In September 2013, the government introduced 15 hours of early education for two-year-olds who are entitled to free school meals. From September 2014, this was extended to children whose families receive Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross household income of less than £16,190. This was so that children of low income working families, as well as those not in work, would benefit from 15 hours of early education. From 1 April 2018 the Government introduced a net earnings threshold equivalent to £15,400 for families on Universal Credit.

The limited tax exemption for childcare vouchers which took effect from 6 April 2005 has been subject to a number of minor technical changes which can affect eligibility. These have mostly been in relation to changes in tax credit regulations and changes to the definition of disabled children in legislation.

For question 158283 relating to childcare vouchers HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not hold this information.

I refer the Honourable member to my statement made on 29 March 2018 which sets out the reasons childcare vouchers are closing to new entrants from 4 October 2018 - www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statements/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&member=4097

Data on the income profile of recipients of Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare can only be generated at disproportionate cost. It is not possible to estimate the income distribution of families benefiting from 15 hours of early education for 3 and 4 year olds as this is a universal offer. All recipients of 15 hours early education for 2 year olds earn less than £16,190. The distribution of childcare voucher recipients by annual income for the year 2017-18 is estimated to be as follows: 54% with income of under £45,000, 46% with income in excess of £45,000. No assessment has been made of the change in income profile.

Data on the age profile of recipients of Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare can only be generated at disproportionate cost. We do not hold data on the age profile of parents in receipt of 15 hours early education for 3 and 4 year olds or for 15 hours early education for 2 year olds. Based on survey data, the age profile of recipients of childcare vouchers is estimated to be as follows: 5% aged under 30, 61% aged 30 to 39, 34% aged 40 and over. No assessment has been made of any change over time for any of these offers.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave on 20 March 2018 (133037).

Final Dedicated Schools Grant allocations to fund the Government’s childcare entitlements, for 2016-17 and before, can be found at the following links:

www.webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130123124929/http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/financialmanagement/schoolsrevenuefunding/archive/a0064860/final-allocation-of-dedicated-schools-grant-2010-11

www.gov.uk/government/publications/dedicated-schools-grant-2013-to-2014

Final funding allocations for the early years childcare entitlements will be dependent on January census data in the usual way.

For information on the cost to the public purse of childcare vouchers in the last year I refer the Honourable gentleman for Tonbridge and Malling to the answer I gave to the Honourable Member for Belfast South (158316).

The Government will be spending a record amount on childcare support by 2019/20 – around £6bn per year.