AROUND 200,000 working families in Scotland will be eligible for up to £2,000 of childcare support per child every year, the Treasury has said.

Parents, including self-employed people, can today apply for tax-free childcare for children under 12, by visiting the website www.childcare choices.gov.uk.

There they will be able to access a “childcare calculator” that helps parents choose childcare support.

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The Treasury says the contribution is worth up to £4,000 for disabled children. More than 190,000 parents across the UK have applied and now have a tax-free childcare account.

They can use the account to pay for regulated childcare, including nurseries, childminders, after school or holiday clubs. For every £8 parents pay into their childcare account, the UK Government says it will add an extra £2. Once eligible parents have opened their new account they can then start paying their childcare provider using the contribution.

Liz Truss, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Tax-Free Childcare will cut thousands of pounds from childcare bills and is good news for working parents.”

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The Scottish Government is committed to increasing free early learning and childcare provision from 60 to 1,140 hours from 2020.