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By Rachel Lawler

 

75 employers have joined a calling for the childcare voucher scheme to be kept open.

 

The scheme is currently due to close to new applicants on 4 October 2018, but the #SaveChildcareVouchers campaing is calling for this to be extended.

 

Employers backing the campaign include Kettle Foods and children’s charity Barnardo’s.

 

If the scheme is not kept open, only parents already receiving vouchers will be able to continue using them. Any parents who change job after 4 October or have their first child after this date will not be able to benefit from the scheme.

 

Jacquie Mills, chair of the Childcare Voucher Providers Association, said: “Employers across the country want the childcare voucher scheme to remain open because the families they employ would struggle to manage work and home life without it.

 

“It is vital for business’ recruitment and retention – working parents consistently favour employers who understand and support their childcare needs.

 

“We’re calling on the government to #SaveChildcareVouchers so working parents can keep doing what they do best with the childcare support that suits them.�