TAX-Free Childcare is now available to around 50,000 families in the North-East whose youngest child is under six.

Parents, including the self-employed, can now apply online for Tax-Free Childcare – part of the government’s Childcare Choices offer – for children who were aged under six on November 24 this year.

The changes are expected to cut childcare costs for working families by up to £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 per year for disabled children.

Tax-Free Childcare will be gradually rolled out to all parents with children aged under 12 years, with everyone who is eligible able to apply by the end of March 2018.

The money can go towards a variety of regulated childcare, including nurseries, childminders, after school clubs and holiday clubs.

Liz Truss, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:

“Tax-Free Childcare will cut thousands of pounds from childcare bills for millions of families, making it easier for more parents to work if they want to.

“This is part of our commitment to support families, including helping them to earn more and keep more of what they earn by increasing the National Living Wage and cutting Income Tax for millions of people.”

Parents can find out what help is available on the Childcare Choices website: childcarechoices.gov.uk