Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reasons parents are unable to use childcare vouchers to pay for the cost of a school residential trip; and if he will amend the rules to permit parents to do so.

Childcare vouchers can only be used to pay for qualifying childcare which is registered or approved. Vouchers can be used to pay for approved childcare on school premises, provided it is outside of school hours for children who have reached compulsory school age. School residential trips do not qualify as registered or approved childcare because they occur outside of the school premises. The government does not have any plans to extend the use of childcare vouchers.

Parents in receipt of certain benefits are exempt from paying the cost of board and lodging for residential school visits.