What is happening to the Childcare Voucher scheme?

What is happening to the Childcare Voucher scheme?

The Childcare Voucher scheme is due to close to new entrants in October 2018. As an independent charity, Employers For Childcare addresses childcare as an economic and labour market issue. We are campaigning to secure the long-term provision of Childcare Vouchers as part of a comprehensive, flexible package of support for working families.
The NI Labour Market Report May 2018 highlighted economic inactivity remains high at 28 per cent, above the UK average of 21 per cent. Access to affordable childcare supports parents to enter the workforce, and organisations to recruit and retain the skilled staff they need, driving economic development.

Childcare Vouchers are critical to this. As well as providing direct savings for parents, they foster engagement between employers and employees on the pressures of combining childcare and work. If the scheme closes, employers will also lose out on savings on National Insurance Contributions which currently amount to £220 million each year.

There is already strong support from employers, parents, elected representatives and others calling for Childcare Vouchers to be kept open. To add your voice, or find out more about Childcare Vouchers, email: hello@employersforchildcare.org.

Summer is here… but what does this mean for childcare?
Summer can be a challenging time for employers in ensuring adequate cover while accommodating leave requests. Employers For Childcare has published a Family Friendly Employer Guide which includes a helpful toolkit setting out how employers can develop and implement family friendly policies and initiatives within their organisations and the business benefits of doing so.

We are here to help. Call 0800 028 3008 to speak with one of our specialist advisors. Your staff can also call this number to find out what support they are entitled to with childcare costs over the summer.
www.employersforchildcare.org