More than 63,800 families in the South East benefitted from Government funding towards childcare costs in September 2022, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.
Overall, HMRC paid out £44.4million in Tax-Free Childcare top-up payments to more than 401,300 families across the UK in September.
Compared to September 2021, the latest Tax-Free Childcare statistics show the number of families in the South East who are using Tax-Free Childcare has increased by 13,440. But thousands of families are still missing out on the top-up which could save them up to £2,000 a year per child towards the cost of their childcare.
Tax-Free Childcare provides working families, earning up to £100,000 a year, with financial help towards childcare. For every £8 paid into a Tax-Free Childcare online account, families will automatically receive an additional £2 from the government. This means they can receive up to £500 every three months (£2,000 a year), or £1,000 (£4,000 a year) if their child is disabled.
The top-up payments can be used to pay for any approved childcare for children aged 11 or under, or up to 17 if the child has a disability whether your child goes to nursery, a childminder, has term-time wraparound care or goes to a holiday club.
Families can check their eligibility and see the options for childcare support at Childcare Choices.
Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if they:
- have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th If their child has a disability, they may get up to £4,000 a year until they are 17
- earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average
- each earn no more than £100,000 per annum
- do not receive tax credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
A full list of the eligibility criteria is available on GOV.UK.






















































































There we go again. Those who whinge that they are poor with children get ever more funding. 2k for normal children and 4k if having a special needs.
Yet all get u/c or tax credits so , as they don’t pay rent, council tax , food , uniforms, transport, or prescriptions or dental care, the latter free car etc just WHAT do these takers spend the thousands given to them on?
It is most odd that the larger amount, or the largest burdens on society are rewarded with the most income.
As contraception is free, children numbers can for most easily be controlled IF you are too poor to fund them without getting others to pay for your choice.
Whilst no-one or most can’t help having a special needs child, then it should be given the basics but society shouldn’t have to fund a sort of compensation fiscal lifestyle for it and it’s parents forever. For whilst it is sad, the parents should fund any extras not society.
At one time IF you said you were going to have a child or another, people would say ‘ best grab all the overtime’ now, most work only a few days and get the rest made up in universal credit etc
The masses are fed up with funding the lazy, swindlers, imms, and the odd who mostly all cost more than they ever pay back into society. Some not their fault, however even so, costly to fund so cut all funding to the bone.
You for got to mention food allowances utility bill handouts etc etc oh and mobile phone
They got it made
They don’t like it made public, they know it is far more lucrative to keep playing the victim, as the squeakiest wheel gets the most oil. And boy they know how to squeak.
Also the lesser known items. Such as free boiler, free insulation, free gym membership at council run establishments. No wonder they are considering closing such down .
Many of these stay at home Mums pretend to be living ‘alone’ to claim single parent extra money, but never sleep alone. Hence the additional clone burdens on society increasing. It is NOT a case of the immaculate conception, just a drug or alcohol night of fun, which we will pay for forever.
Whole benefits system needs cutting to the bone, including those who take the most but can never pay into the system. They and their parents ought to think themselves lucky they have some food and a roof, not demand the world for those who can never contribute.
Pays to have loads children earn a fortune but claim free childcare ….
We live in a nanny state …
Year’s ago you had to pay you’re own way , even for free school meals etc…
Pays to be idle with all the handouts these day’s ….
I prefer to have PRIDE and work for my own standard of living….
But hey maybe worth looking for a job over £100 k or getting universal credit ?????
Total farce work less warn more or earn loads pay less !!!!
I see the old fartery are whining about kids from poor families again.
Guess who the low paid workers caring for you when you’re too far gone to care for yourselves are going to be?
Yep. The grown-up kids of the poor people you so despise.
Or immigrants.
Oh boy, are you lot going to be having fun with Ardiana from Albanian or Chloe from Pan Estate changing your incontinence pads.
I’m 24 and work as a carer. I grew up in a family that claimed benefits with my two sisters and brother. Most of the old ladies and men I care for are absolutely lovely. I get that you are making a point, but you aren’t helping what you are saying by using stereotypes.
I don’t know why there are so many horrible people on this site. My mum and dad worked hard to give us a happy and loving home. Most of the people I know from similar families are nice people. There’s always one or two who take the piss but most work hard. The fact that they need a little help seems to really upset some people. Why is that?