Tuesday 13th March saw the government bow to pressure from members of the public who signed a petition to prevent closure and also from the Labour Party who had expressed concerns about families having to pay upfront costs.
The result is that closure to childcare voucher schemes has now been delayed by 6 months.
In announcing this Damian Hinds, Secretary of State for Education and MP for East Hampshire said:
“I have heard the concerns that have been raised about this and the timing, and I can confirm that we will be able to keep the voucher scheme open for a further six months to new entrants.”
“Tax-free childcare will mean that more people become eligible, regardless of who their employer is and including for the first time the self-employed.”
