HMRC reminds parents to update their children's details as exam results revealed

AS exam results are released around the country, HM Revenue and Customs is reminding parents that receive Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits to inform them of their child's educational status ahead of 31 August, otherwise payments will stop.

Customers must contact HMRC to confirm the eligibility of their 16+ child if they are continuing in full-time, non-advanced education, moving into employment or undertaking approved training. Alternatively, if a young person leaves full time education or training, for example, to start full time work or because their course has ended, claimants must report this change straight away to prevent an overpayment, which they will have to pay back.

The easiest way to inform HMRC is online via the Personal Tax Account (PTA), where you can update both your Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit information in one simple journey.

Nick Lodge, Director General of Benefits and Credits and Transformation, said:- "This is an exciting time for teenagers and their families as they decide which path they want to choose in September... But it's important that customers let us know what education their son or daughter is undertaking after they turn 16 so that we can ensure they receive the correct benefits.  This can be done simply and quickly using the Personal Tax Account which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That means that parents can let us know their child's education status at a time that suits them ahead of 31 August 2016."

Will this affect you?  Please let us know your thoughts and views on this issue by emailing us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.com.

£41m to help build inspirational learning spaces across the City Region

PLACES to inspire learners and give local people access to world class training facilities will be springing up across the City Region with more than £41.1 million of funding being allocated to the area. The new or enhanced training and learning facilities are possible thanks to £41.1 million of:- 'Skills Capital Funding' a strand of the 'Local Growth Fund' which sees £232 million of funding secured by the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership to be invested in transport and skills projects across the City Region.

The funding is being used to create new facilities or enhance existing learning and training facilities. To date, £15.125 million of Skills Capital funding has been committed for 30 projects across the Liverpool City Region. 2 major build projects have recently been completed. These are a specialised Port Academy to support logistics at Hugh Baird College, which was officially opened, on 23 June 2016 and a STEM Centre (science, technology, engineering and manufacturing) for Wirral Metropolitan College to deliver a mix of classroom and workshop based vocational provision, including for advanced manufacturing and digital skills. An official opening is being planned for later in 2016.

Furthermore, at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority meeting in July, 2 new build projects were approved by Myerscough College, which will create specialist new build facilities for equine and animal studies, along with Wirral Metropolitan College that will create a new build University Health campus at Wirral Waters Enterprise Zone.

Cllr Ian Maher, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's lead for Employment and Skills, said:- "It's great to see some of these projects are now complete and are benefitting our residents and learners across the Liverpool City Region. Having the right facilities will inspire our students to achieve their very best. In addition, employers will reap the benefit over the coming years by having local people being skilled and qualified to meet their specific needs."