Rishi Sunak’s wife has donated her controversial shareholding in Koru Kids to charity, amid fears her involvement had become an “unnecessary distraction” for the company.
Akshata Murty gave her stake in the childcare agency to ShareGift, a charity which accepts donations in the form of shares, last month.
The company said Ms Murty made the decision after her investment became an “unfair” distraction, adding that “she wishes for the company to be able to focus on its work and growth”. She owned around 1 per cent of the company, it is understood.
It caused a storm for Mr Sunak when he was found to have breached parliament’s rules by failing to properly declare Ms Murty’s shares in the agency, which was boosted by last March’s budget.
The chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announced incentive payments of £600 for childminders joining the profession, and £1,200 if they join through an agency, like Koru Kids, which Akshata Murty has shares in.
Quizzed on the rationale for the disparity, Mr Sunak cited a “reflection of the fact that they are through intermediaries so there are additional costs”.
Koru Kids was one of six childminder agencies listed on the government’s website at the time, and welcomed the new incentives as “great”.
It said a bonus of “£1,200 – yes double” would be paid “if you come through an agency like Koru Kids who offer community, training and ongoing support”.
