Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell is encouraging local people to take part in a tax-free childcare consultation.
The UK Government will be introducing a Tax-Free Childcare scheme for working families from autumn 2015, providing much-needed support for those in work facing high childcare costs, while enabling others to either move into work, or increase their hours in work, where they wish to do so.
Support will be extended to up to 2.5 million working families, providing them with 20 per cent of their childcare costs – equivalent to the basic rate of Income Tax – worth up to £1,200 for each child. This will ultimately be available for all children under 12.
The consultation seeks views on a wide range of questions on how Tax-Free Childcare will operate, including scheme eligibility, the voucher payment system and government ‘top-ups’, and the role of employers and other organisations.
“Childcare is an important issue for families in my constituency, even more so because it covers such a large rural area where people are often commuting a considerable distance to get to and from work,” said Mr Mundell. “Having the right childcare system in place is vital for so many, especially if one or both family members have to return to work. Therefore I am encouraging parents in my constituency to take part in this consultation, and make their views known,” he added.
The consultation runs until 14 October 2013, and can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/tax-free-childcare
There is also an online questionnaire, which is quicker to complete than the full consultation, and can be found at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/tax-free-childcare-consultation.