Statistics released by childcare minister Robert Goodwill, in answer to a parliamentary question from Labour MP Lucy Powell, show that in 47 out of 153 council areas less than two thirds of eligibility codes had been validated as of 5 September.
Parents are unable to access 30 hours of free childcare for eligible three- and four-year-olds, which launched in September, until their eligibility code has been validated by a childcare provider or their local authority.
The figures show that in 14 areas less than half of eligibility codes had been validated, including North Yorkshire, which was among areas to pilot the 30-hour entitlement.
Just 14.9 per cent of eligibility codes had been validated in West Sussex and in Richmond Upon Thames only 30.9 per cent had been approved.
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