Research and analysis

Understanding whether the current name of Tax-Free Childcare acts as a barrier to take-up

Research to explore whether perceptions of Tax-Free Childcare, including the name itself, are a barrier to take-up, and whether alternative names might improve take-up.

Documents

Tax-Free Childcare: name change research (open text format)

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Tax-Free Childcare: name change research

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email different.format@hmrc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) commissioned research agency IFF Research to explore whether the perceptions of Tax-Free Childcare, including the name itself, has been a barrier to take-up, and whether alternative names might improve take-up.

The research was conducted in 2 stages. In the first, the name ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ was analysed, and 10 focus groups were conducted to explore awareness, knowledge and perceptions of the scheme among parents and childcare providers.

The second stage involved potential alternative names being developed, based on initial findings, and tested among 6 further focus groups of parents. The results of the research came up with recommendations for improving HMRC communications to raise awareness of the scheme, and a potential new name.

Updates to this page

Published 27 January 2022

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