Nursery World - Take a break (2)

Leaders in the early years sector tell Alison Mercer what they think of the Government's moves to ease the tax burden on working parents The Treasury has paved the way for a significant opening up of tax breaks for employer-supported childcare across the United Kingdom, following prolonged lobbying by childcare associations, charities and employers. The proposed changes will extend access to tax breaks to employees using all forms of registered childcare, whereas at present only those using workplace nurseries that meet strict criteria can benefit.

The Treasury has paved the way for a significant opening up of tax breaks for employer-supported childcare across the United Kingdom, following prolonged lobbying by childcare associations, charities and employers. The proposed changes will extend access to tax breaks to employees using all forms of registered childcare, whereas at present only those using workplace nurseries that meet strict criteria can benefit.

The proposals will go some way towards making childcare more affordable for working parents. They should also make life easier for employers by providing clearer qualification criteria and enabling them to meet employees' needs more effectively by supporting different types of childcare provision. However, they have not won universal approval and some aspects of the proposals are contentious.

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