Lyttle presses OFMdFM on childcare strategy

Alliance Children & Young People’s Spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has encouraged parents and guardians to check if they are entitled to more tax credits or childcare vouchers. He called on OFMdFM to clarify how they are going to use the £3m annual childcare budget as a matter of urgency. Employers for Childcare estimated that £6.8m childcare element of working tax credit is going unclaimed by families each year.

Chris Lyttle MLA said: “I would strongly encourage anyone with children to check if they are entitled to more child tax credits or childcare vouchers. This is a difficult time for almost everyone and families need all the financial help they can get at present. It is absolutely staggering that Employers for Childcare estimated that £6.8m childcare element of working tax credit is going unclaimed by families each year. I wish to commend EFC on their work in this regard and would call on OFMdFM to respond urgently to their proposal for an awareness raining campaign on this issue.

“There is £3m per year set aside for childcare and I want OFMdFM to clarify in detail how they intend to spend this vitally important money.

“I have consistently campaigned for the delivery of a childcare strategy and I believe this is crucial to help families and give our young people the best start in life. I will continue to keep the pressure on about this very important matter until there is delivery.”

ENDS