Extend vouchers to self-employed

22 November 2010 1 min read Gabriella Jozwiak Early Years

A leading childcare voucher provider is calling on the government to make the discounted vouchers available to all self-employed parents and sole traders.

Sodexo says the current system hinders economic recovery because parents who might set up small businesses cannot afford to work.

This month, Business Secretary Vince Cable formed an Entrepreneurs Forum to encourage enterprise and entrepreneurship as an alternative career. However, childcare vouchers can only be accessed by employees on pay as you earn (PAYE), meaning anyone required to complete a self-assessment form misses out.

Iain McMath, managing director of Sodexo said: "Childcare vouchers are a key driver to help the economy. If people don't have help to go back to work then they may well start claiming other benefits."

This week, McMath will raise the issue with the Treasury. "It's a way they can very easily show they support entrepreneurship and driving of growth, yet it will cost the government virtually nothing," he said.

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