Help for parents available

HM Revenue and Customs is reminding working parents in West Lothian to not miss out on the opportunity to get up to £2000 a year to pay for regulated childcare, including holiday clubs and other out-of-school activities, during the Easter holidays.

Tax-Free Childcare provides thousands of working families with up to £500 every three months (or £1000 if their child is disabled) towards the cost of holiday clubs, before and after-school clubs, childminders and nurseries, and other approved childcare schemes.

For every £8 deposited into a Tax-Free Childcare online account, families will receive an additional £2 in government top-up, and it is available for children aged up to 11, or 17 if the child has a disability. By depositing money into their accounts, families can benefit from the 20 per cent top-up and use the money to pay for childcare costs. Accounts can be opened at any time and can be used straight away. For details visit https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare