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Parents fear online problems will cost them childcare places

A fresh online problem hits two government childcare schemes, a Universal Credit warning for weekly payslips, social care funding and does stamp duty stop downsizing?

Parents who use two government childcare schemes tell Money Box about a problem they fear is putting their children at risk of losing their nursery places. It happens when they go online to reconfirm their continued eligibility for either the tax-free childcare top up scheme or for 30 hours free childcare. After receiving a successful confirmation message they then get another one saying their entitlement will be stopped as they no longer meet the criteria - despite there being no significant change in their circumstances.

Workers who are paid weekly and who also claim Universal Credit face having it stopped or reduced next month. The benefit is assessed on the basis of a four week month and there are five Fridays in December, which means the extra pay packet could push them over the income threshold to qualify for payment. To receive it again they have to reapply. As Universal Credit is paid in arrears there are concerns it could severely damage people's finances. Guest: Kayley Hignell, Head of Policy, Families, Welfare and Work, Citizen's Advice.

The idea of increasing National Insurance Contributions by 1 percent to raise an extra £5bn towards funding adult social care in England is being put forward in a new report. One of its authors, Andrew Kaye, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Independent Age discusses with Angus Henton, Co-founder of the Intergenerational Foundation.

Stamp duty is 'gumming up' the housing market according to joint research from The London School of Economics and the Family Building Society. It claims the prospect of a large tax bill is causing potential downsizers to stay where they are. Guest: LSE Professor Tony Travers.

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Vivienne Nunis
Producer: Charmaine Cozier.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 19 Nov 2017 21:00

Clip

Chapters

  • Universal Credit

    A warning for working claimants who are paid weekly

    Duration: 04:29

  • Tax-free and 30 hours childcare

    Parents claim their entitlement is being cancelled in error

    Duration: 06:00

  • Social Care

    Would a 1 percent national insurance rise be a fair way to fund it?

    Duration: 07:35

  • Stamp duty

    Does it put people off downsizing?

    Duration: 10:12

Related Links

Childcare

Universal Credit

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Social Care funding

Stamp duty


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  • Sat 18 Nov 2017 12:04
  • Sun 19 Nov 2017 21:00

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