Childcare Vouchers to End Soon, Sign Up Now - Dickson

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, is urging local people to sign up to the Childcare Voucher scheme before it ends in October.

The Government still plans to close the scheme to new entrants in October. This means expectant parents, working families not registered before then, and current users who switch jobs after October, stand to lose out on vital savings – up to £933 each year.

Mr Dickson commented: “It is clear to me that this scheme should continue, unfortunately the Government in London has decided to cut this lifeline off for working people.

“Again, this highlights the need for an Assembly, which could have mitigated the impact of this scheme ending. Budgets are stretched as it is, and this is an unfair and counterproductive decision.

“Nevertheless, there is still time for new entrants to join the scheme. Working parents who are not signed up yet must register a salary sacrifice in their September pay to be deemed ‘eligible’ before the cut-off date (4 October 2018).”

"Many companies and organisations run their payroll 4 to 6 weeks in advance so parents must act quickly to secure these savings towards the cost of childcare.

"Some parents have less than four weeks to register, so it’s imperative that working parents and make one salary sacrifice (this can be a nominal amount, for example £1), before 4 October 2018."

More information can be found on the Employers for Childcare Website.