10 signatures reached
To: HMRC, HM treasury, chancellor, exchequer
Protect Childminders’ Right to Claim Household Expenses
We urge HMRC to:
- Reconsider the removal of wear-and-tear and household expense claims for childminders
- Consult properly with the childcare sector
- Introduce a fair and realistic alternative that reflects the true cost of providing childcare from home
Protecting childminders protects families, children, and the wider economy.
Why is this important?
Childminders provide essential childcare for families across the UK, often working long hours from their own homes. Unlike larger childcare settings, childminders absorb the full cost of increased household use — including heating, electricity, water, cleaning, repairs, and general wear and tear caused by running a childcare business from home.
HMRC’s decision to remove the 10% wear-and-tear allowance and prevent childminders from claiming a fair percentage of household bills will significantly reduce already low earnings. These costs do not disappear simply because they are no longer recognised for tax purposes.
At a time when the childcare sector is already facing a staffing crisis, rising costs, and increasing pressure to offer funded places, this change risks forcing many experienced childminders to leave the profession. Fewer childminders means fewer childcare places for working parents and increased pressure on nurseries and local authorities.
Childminders are small, home-based businesses. Treating us as though household costs are not a legitimate business expense is unfair and out of touch with the reality of our work.
