(images UK MOD Crown Copyright 2024)
A new Ministry of Defence scheme to transform support for Armed Forces families with young children will be rolled out across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from September 2026, the Defence Secretary has announced on 20 March 2026.
This major boost could save eligible Armed Forces families up to £6,000 per year for each child, depending on where you are in the UK.
Defence is committed to supporting Armed Forces families, wherever you live and work. This scheme will help with the cost of living and navigating life as a family in the Armed Forces, recognising the demands placed on Service personnel and the critical roles families play in support of them.
Hundreds of families in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to be eligible for the scheme.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:
"Our Armed Forces families are at the heart of our nation's security. With demands on defence rising, from the conflict in the Middle East to growing Russian aggression, we are asking more of our military, and it is right that we continue to step up our support for them.
“This transformative offer will ensure more military families get the childcare support they need, no matter where they are posted.
"We are making good on our promise to Armed Forces families - supporting them as they support our dedicated military personnel defending the UK and our allies. Our message to the Armed Forces community is clear: this government is on your side."
This major boost could save eligible Armed Forces families up to £6,000 per year for each child, depending on where you are in the UK.
Defence is committed to supporting Armed Forces families, wherever you live and work. This scheme will help with the cost of living and navigating life as a family in the Armed Forces, recognising the demands placed on Service personnel and the critical roles families play in support of them.
Hundreds of families in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to be eligible for the scheme.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:
"Our Armed Forces families are at the heart of our nation's security. With demands on defence rising, from the conflict in the Middle East to growing Russian aggression, we are asking more of our military, and it is right that we continue to step up our support for them.
“This transformative offer will ensure more military families get the childcare support they need, no matter where they are posted.
"We are making good on our promise to Armed Forces families - supporting them as they support our dedicated military personnel defending the UK and our allies. Our message to the Armed Forces community is clear: this government is on your side."
Defence Secretary meets Service families
(images UK MOD Crown Copyright 2024)
(images UK MOD Crown Copyright 2024)
On 19 March 2026, the Defence Secretary visited Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh to launch this new scheme and meet families who will benefit from this extra support.About the scheme
Who is eligible for the scheme?
From September 2026, this new scheme will be rolled out to UK working Armed Forces families – in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – with children aged between:
- 9 months until they reach 3 years old in Scotland and Wales, or
- 9 months to 4 years old in Northern Ireland.
Where a Serving parent is assigned to a non-UK location, but the family is located in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you will be eligible as long as you meet the other eligibility criteria.
How will the scheme work?
The scheme will be delivered through Defence’s existing Early Years childcare reimbursement scheme and will ensure that eligible working UK Armed Forces families receive the same Government funded childcare support as Armed Forces families in England.
If you and your Serving partner are employed and meet the income thresholds required to access an active Tax-Free Childcare account, this scheme could save your family thousands.
What next?
This scheme will be rolled out from September 2026, giving you more time to prepare and explore suitable childcare options.
Defence will continue to work closely with the devolved governments, and further details will be set out in the coming month.
Empowering Armed Forces families
Defence remains committed to listening to the voices of those in the Armed Forces community. With childcare being cited as one of several factors affecting Armed Forces retention and morale, this new scheme supports this government’s mission to fix the recruitment crisis and improve lived experiences.
Wider support that Defence has delivered for Armed Forces families since July 2024 include:
· A new housing strategy, which allocates £9bn to improve over 40,000 military homes.
· Awarding Service personnel with the biggest pay rise in 20 years.
· Bringing the Armed Forces Covenant into law through the Armed Forces Bill, introduced this year. This will ensure that all government departments place the Armed Forces community at the heart of government decision-making.
· Setting up a Families Hub to help people make informed choices about navigating family life in the Armed Forces.
Signposting
To find information on Childcare and early Years, including costs and general guidance across the UK, visit the Families Hub.
For useful signposting to information, support and organisations to help navigate Service family life, visit the Families Hub.
The Ministry of Defence’s Families Continuous Attitude Survey – which asks a random sample of Regular Service families about daily aspects of Service – closes on 15 April 2026. To check if you are in the sample, and to access the survey, use the online checker.