AQW 41419/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 25/02/2026
Answered On Date: 23/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance whether he has made representations to the UK Government regarding children born in July and August losing out on Tax Free Childcare support, due school year differences between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Answer:

The Minister for Education wrote to me on 23 February to highlight this specific issue and to request that my Department raise it with the Treasury, my officials have raised this matter with Treasury Officials.

Supporting families through affordable childcare provision is essential to improving labour market participation and driving economic growth.