Teachers not getting childcare vouchers discussion

MSE_Martin · 31 October 2005 at 12:40PM

I recently wrote an article on Childcare Vouchers (see Article) which let parents reclaim £1000s a year tax back on childcare costs.

MoneySavers discussing it on the discussion link here have noted state school teachers aren't included in the scheme. This is a bureaucratic oversight and I'm asking MPs to look into it.

What I'm doing:

I have sent an email to 60 MPs who've supported the site in the past at various Early Day Motions, drawing this to their attention.

What you can do?

As many ideas as you have is great. Union members should kick up a fuss to make sure their Union is dealing with it. Also its worth writing or emailing to your MP. I've noted a draft letter below which may make it easier (feel free to copy and amend it, i am NOT asserting copyright on it).

Please reply with further suggestions and discussion

To find who your MP is and their address: http://www.locata.co.uk/commons/

DRAFT LETTER TO MPS:

Dear MP NAME

I am writing as your constituent to draw your attention to the fact that state school teachers are unfairly missing out on £1000s worth of government subsidies.

Thousands of private sector employers now offer childcare voucher schemes, which allow parents to claim £1000s a year tax back on childcare costs. If a couple both applied for the vouchers, which are deducted from workers’ gross salary so avoid tax and national insurance, they could save a massive £1600-£2000 a year.

Yet teachers are denied this cash. They are exempt from the scheme because the national agreement that controls teachers’ pay means local authorities can’t alter teachers’ pay rates – even if it is to accommodate a government salary sacrifice scheme. This is a silly bureaucratic oversight.

It seems extraordinary that in the current climate of staff shortages, teachers are precluded from an incentive that would encourage many to return to work.

I would like you to do all that you can to put pressure on the government to get the rules changed, and find a mechanism through which teachers can get the cash they are entitled to.

Yours sincerely,

SE9Gull · 7 November 2005 at 11:42AM

After some prodding by me, my employer (London Borough of Greenwich) is very keen for this scheme to start happening for teachers, so there is some movement in the right direction. Who are the main movers and shakers we teachers can be hassling in order to get some action on this oversight?

grant1wish · 7 November 2005 at 2:42PM

This is disgraceful.

My wife is looking to go back to work soon (a teacher) and the only way we can justify it is if we get some money off the childcare costs which are extortionate.

How can she do anything to get the school involved?

xgirl · 8 November 2005 at 6:35PM

Like so many complicated Govt schemes the people who could use it most are the least able to take advantage of it. You have a well paid couple working for large financial organisations in the City for instance and they can both take advantage of it because their employers sort it out for them and cover the cost of setting up the scheme. You have someone on low pay working for a small employer - the cost of setting up the scheme (if it's set up at all) is passed on to the employee.

Is there any way that the self-employed can take advantage of the scheme? As far as I can see it's impossible.

gav1 · 8 November 2005 at 7:50PM

Those who can, ...... don't get childcare vouchers. Seems like a regressive form of taxation to me. Come on Martin, let's sort this. You and me, baby. And a few of our friends on this site.

devans7351 · 8 November 2005 at 9:15PM

There is a small point that has not been addressed which is that Childcare providers do not have to take these vouchers from parents if they do not wish to, although there should be no reason that they should refuse. It would be easy to say change Childcare provider, however, we must not loose sight that we trust these people to look after our children - a huge responsibility. It's a pity that it has not been marketed to childcare providers direct rather than relying on the parents to try and persuade them. As you may have gathered we haven't been able to persuade our childcare provider.

Anon · 8 November 2005 at 11:05PM

Another point to consider is if you are in a company pension scheme, contributions (employers and your own) are based on salary - as you have sacrificed some of the salary, some organisations use the lower figure rather than the original as the basis for contributions. I am not sure what difference this makes but would be interested to hear if this should mean not taking part in the scheme or if the benefits overall really outweigh this.

Many thanks

Anon

adr0ck · 9 November 2005 at 12:09PM

my partners a teacher..........(state primary school) and shes able to claim the childcare vouchers....she has to sign up for a minimum of 12 months......(shes not been claiming because shes on maternity (new baby girl)) but i know that she was/would be able to claim them......is this because were in wales?

leafton · 9 November 2005 at 4:14PM

I am a teacher in a secondary school currently on maternity leave. I would be paying out £600 per month for full-time childcare during term time and £300 per month during the holidays, had I not had an idea! My sister (also on maternity leave) has decided that she does not want to return to work. However, she and her fiance can not afford to rent anywhere if she does not do so. The result: My husband and I are buying a property on a buy-to-let basis and my sister and her fiance are going to live there rent free in return for taking care of my baby when I return to work. If and when they decide to move out, once her son is at school, the property can be rented out to someone else. We are now paying less than £600 per month and this will go towards a long term investment, rather than a nursery (which I was not keen on). I realise that this type of arrangement will depend on a lot of circumstances, but I just wonder whether others could benefit from doing a similar thing? Perhaps you could buy a property and offer your childminder the opportunity to live there rent free whilst they are taking care of your children?

MMCG_2 · 9 November 2005 at 5:31PM

I am just back to work in September past after having my second child, with an 8 year gap. As you can appreciste things have changed a lot since then. As our little bundle was totally unexpected, we now find childcare costs crippling us. I enquired about the vouchers only to be told they affect my pension. I don't fully understand this, but I have discovered neither do the Dept of Educ here in Northern Ireland nor the employing bodies, ie. CCMS. Perhaps you could help ensure that whenever MPs bring their oversight for review that we in Northern Ireland are included. As you know, One rule for one doesn't necessarily mean the same one for others!!!! Keep up the good work, Martin.

djw_2 · 9 November 2005 at 6:04PM

I think Scottish teachers are eligible for the scheme - Scottish Borders Council have been publicising the scheme to their state school teachers.

Teachers not getting childcare vouchers discussion

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