Top Tory Nicky Morgan demands answers on childcare website failings
2 min read
Nicky Morgan has called on HMRC to address long-running problems with its website that have left some parents unable to register for free childcare provision.
A new scheme to be rolled out next month will allow parents access to 30 hours a week of free childcare for three and four-year-olds.
But problems with the online registration system has left some parents and childcare providers unable to open accounts.
A number of parents have reportedly cited issues with logging into the site, while others have been registered for a different plan to the one they applied for.
Former education secretary and now Treasury Select Committee chair Ms Morgan has written to HMRS boss Jon Thompson demanding answers.
"It’s concerning that some parents have struggled to apply for childcare funding due to technical issues with the Government’s childcare service website," she said.
"To make matters worse, it appears that the childcare service helpline, for parents suffering problems with the website, is also experiencing technical difficulties.
"I have written to Jon Thompson at HMRC, which runs the website, to ask for further information, such as the duration of outages, the number of complaints, and the number of people who have been unable to access their childcare service account."
But Education Minister Robert Goodwill told MPs last month: “I have recently had a walk-through of the service myself. It is straightforward, and the format will be very familiar to parents who have used other Government digital services...
“Increasing numbers of parents are successfully applying. It is great news that so many families will benefit from 30 hours in September.”
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