The Minister raised his concerns with Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children, Schools and Families, at a meeting in London yesterday. He said that improvements were needed to the UK benefits and tax credits system to give parents more help with the costs of childcare. He also discussed the need for further support for kinship carers.

Ingram proposed that the two systems which support parents with childcare costs - the childcare element of working tax credit and childcare vouchers - could be merged to create one straightforward, progressive and more accessible system. This would help families facing hardship and support more parents on low incomes to return to work or training, he said.

“I’m pleased that HM Treasury is reviewing the tax credits system because the current scheme is far too complex and bureaucratic. We need a simplified approach that will make the process easier for parents and improve uptake, which is particularly low for the hard-pressed families who need help most.

“I am particularly concerned that, because under this system childcare support is limited to two children, the needs of larger families are not being met. They are the very families who will be facing financial difficulties in this current climate. I am also concerned that the system does not recognise the additional childcare barriers faced by parents with disabled children, which can make it difficult for them to return to work.”

He said that they had found common ground on the need for further financial support for all kinship carers - the relatives, often grandparents, who are looking after children.

“In Scotland, under our historic Concordat with local authorities, we have a commitment to provide allowances to all kinship carers. For the first time we have made financial resources available for the carers of more than 2,000 looked after children to receive a weekly allowance. However, the UK benefits system includes clear disadvantages for kinship carers. I have agreed with Ms Hughes that Scottish Government and Whitehall officials will work together to resolve these issues,” said Ingram.