A taxing problem
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
I am writing in support of Helen Dew's comments in her letter ('Help us to finger the tax fraudsters', 8 January). Like her, in the three years since opening our setting, we have had only one telephone call checking up on a claimant. At our setting a high percentage of parents and carers access Working Tax Credit, and we are being left time and time again with outstanding fees.
At our setting a high percentage of parents and carers access Working Tax Credit, and we are being left time and time again with outstanding fees.
Surely the Inland Revenue could pay fees directly to the setting, as most day nurseries ask for one month's notice. This would give parents and carers freedom of choice to change settings without the providers losing out on the fees due to them.
We are trying to expand and improve our setting, but the enthusiasm and incentive to provide good-quality childcare at reasonable rates is under serious threat because of this ridiculous failing system. Would the Inland Revenue like to provide us with a debt collector?
So come on providers, and the bodies supporting us. Let us all try to work together to bring about long-overdue changes to this unworkable and much-abused system.
Linda Dean, manager, Start Right Nursery, Grantham, Lincolnshire
