Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department has taken since 2011 to publicise eligibility for Specified Adult Childcare Credits to (a) grandparents and (b) other family members that care for a child under 12 years old while the (i) parent or (ii) main carer is working.

Since Specified Adult Childcare credits were introduced by the Coalition Government on 6 April 2011, HMRC management information shows more than 19,000 people providing childcare to a related child have benefitted from a transferred child benefit credit.

A communications campaign to raise awareness began when the credits were introduced. The Department also provided information to stakeholder organisations to encourage wider awareness raising. Gov.uk contains full details of Specified Adult Childcare credits and how to apply for them. This information is signposted to individuals when they request a State Pension forecast at the Check your State Pension service, https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension. Since February 2016 over 9 million visits have been made to this service.

These credits can be backdated until 6 April 2011 and the Government encourages everyone who is eligible to apply.