Overview

• HMRC says 571,945 families used the support in June 2025, with £57.7 million paid in top-ups averaging just over £100 per family that month.
• For every £8 parents deposit, the government adds £2, up to £500 per child every three months or £1,000 for disabled children, worth as much as £2,000 a year per child or £4,000 if disabled.
• Eligibility includes children aged 11 or under (with disabled children eligible to 16), parents each working at least 16 hours at minimum wage and earning under £100,000, and it cannot be combined with Universal Credit or old childcare vouchers.
• Regional figures highlight uptake differences, including 19,170 families in the North East, 34,255 in Scotland and more than 54,900 in the South West using the scheme in June.
• Experts warn many eligible families are still missing out due to complexity, even though accounts are opened via GOV.UK, can be used with free childcare hours, and are promoted as a way to ease half-term and holiday costs.