News / Politics
New childcare vouchers could cost parents thousands, says Bristol MP
Parents are at their “wits’ end” over changes to childcare vouchers that Darren Jones fears will leave families worse off.
The MP for Bristol North West argues the Government’s new system is flawed, harder to use and is putting people in real financial difficulties.
The Conservatives have decided to close childcare vouchers to new entrants from October and move instead to a tax-free childcare scheme.
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Under the new rules, savings will be made on a per-child basis, rather than per-parent – but according to charity Employers for Childcare, it will make around 66 per cent of families worse off.
“I’ve already had a number of constituents in my surgery at their wits end due to the new tax-free childcare system,” says Jones.
“It doesn’t work, requires parents to re-register every three months and has put my constituents in real difficulties in paying their childcare providers. To make it worse, most parents don’t realise they could lose thousands of pounds in childcare support each year.
“Supporting families and creating a parent-friendly workplace is one of my top priorities as a local MP. This flawed change by the Government will make it harder for working parents, not easier.
“And it will make it harder for parents wanting to return to work too. I will continue to call on the Government to get it right. But I also call on parents to get informed as soon as possible, so they aren’t left in difficulty when the childcare voucher scheme closes in a few months’ time.”
The changes were due to come in this April, but have been delayed until October following a House of Commons debate.
Under new rules, families will have to register each child online and make monthly payments, the Government will then top-up the balance by 20 per cent and the system will pay childcare providers directly.
Jones claims the new system is harder to use and wants to ensure parents know about the changes ahead of time so they don’t get caught out.
The MP is inviting people to find out more about childcare changes via his website: www.darren-jones.co.uk or www.facebook.com/darrenjonesmp.
Read more: Bristol parents struggle to access new childcare entitlement
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