
In April HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) launched the Childcare Services website, which lets parents manage their childcare benefits, including the 30 hours of free childcare entitlement that comes into effect in September.
However, reports soon emerged of technical problems that were leaving some parents unable to register and unable to pay their childcare providers.
In a letter to HMRC chief executive Jon Thompson sent on 24 July, Morgan, who cahirs the treasury select committee, indicated that its members may be set to investigate the matter further.
In the letter Morgan asked Thompson for details about the extent and impact of the website's technical problems "in preparation for any potential treasury committee consideration of [the] matter".
"It's concerning that some parents have struggled to apply for childcare funding due to technical issues with the government's childcare service website," Morgan said.
"To make matters worse, it appears that the Childcare Services 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 Services account."
Last month, childcare minister Robert Goodwill told Parliament that the technical glitches had been "ironed out" and that an average of 2,850 applications to the website were being approved every weekday.
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association, said: "It's very welcome that Nicky Morgan is asking questions of HMRC on the problems with the Childcare Service website and helpline.
"What started out as ‘teething troubles' is persisting months after launch, with parents and childcare providers growing increasingly frustrated.
"With the roll out of the government's 30 hour funded childcare places from 1 September, some parents are getting worried that they won't even be able to access their places in time because they are being let down by the IT system.
"HMRC must ensure they resolve problems with the website as a matter of urgency and reassure parents and providers."
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