Why have 2 year olds got back to school allowance?

[Livingthebestlife]

I'm so confused as to why 2 year olds have got back to school allowance in the budget?

To be entitled to btsa you need to have little or no income .

What 2 year old is in school?

Many school nurseries now take 2 year olds.

I noticed this too but under 4's had actually got BTSA before, it only got cut in a budget perhaps 10 years back if even I dunno never had it myself but yeah assume it is because of the ECCE being offered for two years now.

Did it reduce when school books became free? Isn't that what it was for?
Or is it more for the shoes, school bag, lunch box, etc?
Those in ecce scheme need those too, which might explain why age is lowered. Also a way to become more targeted to those in need than a widespread child benefit increase.

I always thought it was to help with uniforms and books. Never thought it included creches. So even if someone isn't in a creche they're entitled to it once it's a no or low income family ?

Not a clue what it is for as never had an entitlement to it myself but I guess for whatever you need it for.

Because imo it reality it's as much a 'prepare for winter' allowence as anything else so a family can get decent warm coats, shoes and clothes. Really it's just a way to support low income families using the back to school as a system to filter it through

Yes I think this is it. Most children don’t actually start ecce until three nowadays so I assume it’s to help low income families get sorted with clothes and shoes for winter.

The BTS allowance was only changed after 2008, I cannot find the year it changed but in 2008 it was available for 2yr olds

It was, many moons ago, originally called a winter allowance.

It was 💯 available in the 90’s, it was £40 at the time and it rapidly increased like CB in the 00’s when money was no object. Children qualified once they were 2yrs old before end of September if eligibility was established.

Ecce take children from 2 years 8 months on the last week of August. So only a small number of September to December birthdays fall into this category. I think its an Autumn allowance as others say for a new coat and shoes. But arguably they need new clothes in spring too so it doesn't really make sense.