What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Tory plans for tax-free childcare are in disarray, with an uptake of less than eight per cent.

The flagship policy launched in 2013 was meant to help 415,000 parents by last month but only 30,000 signed up.

That means this year the Government has only spent £37million and saved £800million.

Budget documents out last week show next year’s spending forecast is being revised down by 90 per cent.

The low response is being blamed on ministers failing to give additional funding for nurseries and childminders. More than 500 wrote to Chancellor Philip Hammond before the Budget asking for more money – but in vain.

(Image: Daily Mirror)

Shadow early years minister Tracy Brabin said: “The Government has once again failed to give families the support they need, despite pleas from providers.

“The Chancellor talks of a Budget that makes the UK fit for the future while failing to invest in a generation of our kids.”

In the scheme, the Government puts in 20p for every 80p parents pay for childcare up to £2,000 a year. But parents complain of technical snags on the website.