Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference the guidance published by his Department on 24 March 2020 entitled Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak, when the temporary changes enabling parents that do not meet the minimum income threshold, due to lower earnings as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, to remain eligible for the 30 hours free entitlement came into force; when the application process will be updated to reflect that change; and how that change is being communicated to parents that are affected.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have revised the application and reconfirmation process to temporarily enable parents whose income has been affected by COVID-19 to remain eligible for the 30 hours free entitlement. A press notice was issued about these changes on 5 May, and we have also communicated this change via email to local authorities.

Guidance was published on 7 May and is available on gov.uk at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-get-tax-free-childcare-and-30-hours-free-childcare-during-coronavirus-covid-19, and also on the Childcare Choices website:

https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/coronavirus/.

HMRC call centres are able to respond to parents’ enquiries.