Commentary on Sections Part 5: CHILDCARE AND SCHOOLS Section 74: Funding for free of charge early years provision
366.The section amends sections 13A and 13B of the Childcare Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”). Section 13A of the 2006 Act allow the Commissioners for HMRC and the Secretary of State (in practice the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions) to supply information that they hold for tax credit and social security functions to the Secretary of State (in practice the Secretary of State for Education) and English local authorities to use for the purpose of determining eligibility for free of charge early years provision (such provision is defined in regulations under section 7 of the 2006 Act).
367.The amendment to section 13A(3) extends the purpose for which data specified at 13A(1) and (2) can be used by the Secretary of State and English local authorities to include checking which children meet the qualifying criteria for additional funding for free of charge early years provision. The section also amends subsection 13A(6) to allow information to be supplied to individuals working on behalf of local authorities for the specified new purpose.
368.The section also amends the existing offence under section 13B of the 2006 Act relating to unauthorised disclosure of data. An individual who has received information lawfully under subsection 13A(3) and (5) can disclose that information in connection with assessing eligibility for funding for free of charge early years provision.