Q: Should I be concerned that the workplace childcare voucher scheme is closing next month and can it be stopped?
A: Parents are being urged to make their voices heard via the #SaveChildcareVouchers campaign before the childcare voucher scheme is closed to 'new entrants' on October 4.
According to family advocacy charity Employers For Childcare, "people power" gained a six-month reprieve for the scheme in March; now the organisation is urging parents to lobby their MP to keep the scheme open permanently.
Aoife Hamilton, its policy and information manager, said: “We have registered hundreds of new employers and more than 1,000 parents to the scheme in the last three months but now we are taking calls from upset and worried parents no longer able to register.
"These parents have either missed their September payroll cut-off date, their first born is due after October 4 or they are existing users but in the process of changing jobs and will now be excluded from joining the scheme with their new employer.
“This is creating hardship and stress for many families who have based their income and outgoings on being able to access childcare vouchers – now they have been left adrift. Their only hope is that MPs will stop the closure of the scheme to new entrants.
"Employers For Childcare believes Childcare Vouchers should be kept open alongside tax-free childcare and parents should be able to move between the schemes as their circumstances change.
" Both schemes provide savings but were designed to help and support families with very different incomes and childcare costs. Parents have told us their childcare needs change annually, therefore they need a flexible and comprehensive package of support – not a ‘one size fits all’ approach which this government intends to create.
“All parents, grandparents, carers and guardians need to stand up and make their collective voice heard – working families deserve better than this.
"Parents can show their support by lobbying their MP to halt the closure of childcare vouchers. Visit theyworkforyou.com to find your local MP and contact them via email or their social media accounts. We are calling on all MPs to show their support for the working families they represent by halting the closure of Childcare Vouchers immediately.
“Employers For Childcare is also calling on parents to ask their employers to stand in support of their staff and sign a business pledge urging the government to keep the scheme open.
"Employers can simply email the name of their business and the number of employees to cvpa@wacomms.co.uk to sign the pledge. It’s quick and easy and employees will thank them for it.”
:: Details on the lobbying campaign #SaveChildcareVouchers are available at employersforchildcare.org. For information on childcare vouchers and paying for childcare see gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/childcare-vouchers
