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<p>We estimate that around 2 million families are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare.
As of 28 June 2018 over 336,000 applications have been made for Tax-Free Childcare
and of these 313,000 been found eligible for the scheme. As of the 31 May 2018 over
74,000 families have paid money into their Tax-Free Childcare accounts and received
the government top up.</p><p> </p><p>The main eligibility criteria for Tax-Free Childcare
and 30 hours free childcare have not changed since they were introduced. To help parents
to return to work we have allowed parents to apply for 30 hours free childcare and
Tax-Free Childcare 31 days, rather than 14, before returning to, or starting to, work.</p><p>
</p><p>Additionally, from September 2018, we have extended 30 hours free childcare
to foster children, where their foster parents work outside fostering. To receive
30 hours free childcare it must be consistent with the child’s care plan.</p><p> </p><p>There
have been no policy changes to 15 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds since
the policy was introduced.</p><p> </p><p>In September 2013, the government introduced
15 hours of early education for two-year-olds who are entitled to free school meals.
From September 2014, this was extended to children whose families receive Working
Tax Credit and have an annual gross household income of less than £16,190. This was
so that children of low income working families, as well as those not in work, would
benefit from 15 hours of early education. From 1 April 2018 the Government introduced
a net earnings threshold equivalent to £15,400 for families on Universal Credit.</p><p>
</p><p>The limited tax exemption for childcare vouchers which took effect from 6 April
2005 has been subject to a number of minor technical changes which can affect eligibility.
These have mostly been in relation to changes in tax credit regulations and changes
to the definition of disabled children in legislation.</p><p> </p><p>For question
158283 relating to childcare vouchers HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not hold
this information.</p><p> </p><p>I refer the Honourable member to my statement made
on 29 March 2018 which sets out the reasons childcare vouchers are closing to new
entrants from 4 October 2018 - <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statements/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&member=4097"
target="_blank">www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statements/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&member=4097</a></p><p>
</p><p>Data on the income profile of recipients of Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours
free childcare can only be generated at disproportionate cost. It is not possible
to estimate the income distribution of families benefiting from 15 hours of early
education for 3 and 4 year olds as this is a universal offer. All recipients of 15
hours early education for 2 year olds earn less than £16,190. The distribution of
childcare voucher recipients by annual income for the year 2017-18 is estimated to
be as follows: 54% with income of under £45,000, 46% with income in excess of £45,000.
No assessment has been made of the change in income profile.</p><p> </p><p>Data on
the age profile of recipients of Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare can
only be generated at disproportionate cost. We do not hold data on the age profile
of parents in receipt of 15 hours early education for 3 and 4 year olds or for 15
hours early education for 2 year olds. Based on survey data, the age profile of recipients
of childcare vouchers is estimated to be as follows: 5% aged under 30, 61% aged 30
to 39, 34% aged 40 and over. No assessment has been made of any change over time for
any of these offers.</p><p> </p><p>I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave
on 20 March 2018 (133037).</p><p> </p><p>Final Dedicated Schools Grant allocations
to fund the Government’s childcare entitlements, for 2016-17 and before, can be found
at the following links:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130123124929/http:/www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/financialmanagement/schoolsrevenuefunding/archive/a0064860/final-allocation-of-dedicated-schools-grant-2010-11"
target="_blank">www.webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130123124929/http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/financialmanagement/schoolsrevenuefunding/archive/a0064860/final-allocation-of-dedicated-schools-grant-2010-11</a></p><p>
</p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dedicated-schools-grant-2013-to-2014"
target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/dedicated-schools-grant-2013-to-2014</a></p><p>
</p><p>Final funding allocations for the early years childcare entitlements will be
dependent on January census data in the usual way.</p><p> </p><p>For information on
the cost to the public purse of childcare vouchers in the last year I refer the Honourable
gentleman for Tonbridge and Malling to the answer I gave to the Honourable Member
for Belfast South (158316).</p><p> </p><p>The Government will be spending a record
amount on childcare support by 2019/20 – around £6bn per year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
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