Brown petitioned for rethink on childcare vouchers plans

Nine ex-ministers have written to the Prime Minister calling for a rethink on plans to phase out childcare vouchers for most parents.

Nine ex-ministers have written to the Prime Minister calling for a rethink on plans to phase out childcare vouchers for most parents.
Gordon Brown has said that the money saved by phasing out the vouchers which are used by over 300,000 families and allow them to claim tax relief of up to £2,400 a year on childcare costs, will be used to extend free childcare places to two year olds from deprived families.
More than 75,000 have signed the a petition against the move, but Brown says a third of the vouchers are claimed by higher rate taxpayers. He adds that parents on lower incomes will get more money through tax credits.
He also claims: "No-one who is currently using the scheme will be affected in the next five years."
Among the 43 MPs who have signed the letter to the Prime Minister are former health secretary Patricia Hewitt, ex-education secretary Lady Morris, ex-chief whip Hilary Armstrong and former Europe minister Caroline Flint.

Parental choice
According the Guardian, it says: "Withdrawing [the vouchers] will penalise a significant number of lower rate taxpayers, reduce the overall amount of funding available for childcare, reduce parental choice and impact negatively on the economy as the UK moves towards recovery.
"Crucially, in the run-up to an election, it will remove support for working parents and for businesses in key marginal constituencies."
They also state that the plans could worsen the gender pay gap, make it more difficult for two parents in a household to work and make childcare less affordable.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said the Government faced tough decisions over public spending.
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