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Early Education and Childcare 2025-09-04
04 September 2025
Lead MP
Stephen Morgan
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
TaxationEmployment
Other Contributors: 51
At a Glance
Stephen Morgan raised concerns about early education and childcare 2025-09-04 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Minister outlined the Government's plan to improve early education and childcare, including expanding funded childcare hours to 30 hours for working parents with children aged nine months to four years. He highlighted the financial benefits for families and the increased availability of school-based nurseries in disadvantaged areas. The Minister also mentioned the extension of the holiday activities and food programme to support lower-income households during holidays.
Saqib Bhatti
Con
Meriden and Solihull East
Bhatti welcomed the expansion of childcare but criticised the Labour Government's previous actions, such as the jobs tax, which he claimed are damaging the childcare sector. He mentioned that without urgent action on national insurance contributions, many providers could face closure within two years.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Welcomed the Minister’s statement on funded childcare hours, school-based nurseries, and holiday activities. Asked about ensuring children in families not in work are not left behind by the expansion of funded hours for working families. Raised concerns regarding recruitment and retention issues within early years practitioners.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Welcomed Government’s announcement on school-based nurseries and extension of childcare hours but pointed out the financial strain on private and voluntary sector providers due to national insurance contributions rise, inflation, and underfunded hours. Cited a survey showing 44% of providers could not meet demand this September. Called for urgent review of funding rates and full funding parental rights.
Stella Creasy
Lab/Co-op
Walthamstow
Welcomed the Minister's recognition of policy impact on equality, highlighting the 33% pay gap between mums and dads. Asked for jobcentres to help in informing parents about tax-free childcare and funded hours process to end motherhood penalty.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Questioned the Minister on when they will publish their assessment of economics running a nursery under new Government’s increase in jobs tax. Raised concerns about adequate supply of high-quality places, especially in areas like Alton, Petersfield and Horndean.
Mark Sewards
Lab
Leeds South West and Morley
Name and position not provided completely in the text.
Mark Sewards
Con
Leeds South West
Welcomes the Government's initiatives on childcare entitlements and encourages parents to take advantage of these measures.
Stephen Morgan
Lab
Nottingham North
Defends the funding levels for new places, stating £8 billion will be spent this year with an increase to £9 billion next year. Mentions that core funding rates include forecasts around earnings, inflation and increases in the national living wage.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Questions about the funding level for new places and whether it fully compensates nurseries for an average £18,000 increase due to a rise in National Insurance Contributions.
Darren Paffey
Lab
Southampton Itchen
Highlights two new nurseries funded by the Government and thanks everyone working across all early years settings for giving children the best start in life.
South Devon
Welcomes the commitment to and recognition of early years provision but expresses concern about recruitment difficulties due to increased costs, questioning what measures are being taken to ensure recruitment is maintained.
David Williams
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Recalls working for Sure Start children’s centres in the 2000s and highlights new roll-outs of initiatives such as breakfast clubs, a new school-based nursery, extended family hubs and funded places.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Praises the expansion of childcare entitlement but raises concerns about funding not covering full costs for exceptional care and education due to NI increase. Urges a higher funding case to Treasury.
Sam Rushworth
Lab
Bishop Auckland
Welcomes savings on childcare by the Government but seeks further local initiatives such as opening more Sure Start centres.
Chichester
Questions about steps being taken to ensure long-term financial stability for maintained nurseries, especially those with special educational needs support.
Dave Robertson
Lab
Lichfield
Highlights the opening of three school nurseries in his constituency and advises on how best to remind parents that measures are being supported by this Government alone.
Tom Gordon
LD
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Welcomes affordable childcare but expresses concern about private and voluntary sector providers struggling under the new early years funding contract, urging specific dates for a review of the funding.
Rachael Maskell
Ind
York Central
Welcomes the opening of a nursery in York but asks how the programme will be evaluated to ensure investment is effective.
Siân Berry
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Highlights the childcare provider crisis and calls for broader investment in pay, conditions, and training to mitigate national insurance contribution burdens and improve morale.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Welcomes the investment but asks about conversations between the Department and Treasury regarding capital funding for schools to accommodate nurseries.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
Discusses issues with charging regimes in nurseries, noting that providers are doing unpaid work due to current regulations.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Welcomes the announcement and asks about the wide range of benefits for families, children's educational development, and the wider economy from increased funded childcare.
Lewes
Raises concerns about the sustainability of the private and voluntary sector in delivering the Government’s aims without further support. Asks to meet with the Minister to discuss this matter directly.
Kirsteen Sullivan
Lab/Co-op
Bathgate and Linlithgow
Welcomes strides made by the Labour government but questions the inflexible nature of funded hours compared to Scotland, asking for flexible hours in future policy.
Vikki Slade
LD
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Raises concerns about the strain of costs on childcare providers leading to practices affecting families negatively. Asks what is being done to help such families.
Luke Akehurst
Lab
North Durham
Asks for clarity on how measures will benefit hard-working parents in North Durham who are trying to balance work and family life.
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe
Questions the disparity between childcare provision in England compared to Wales, urging Welsh Labour Government for improved provision.
Michael Payne
Lab
Gedling
Welcomes outstanding Ofsted report for a local primary school and congratulates the team on their work.
Henley and Thame
Highlights the high cost of childcare fees and its impact on reproductive choices, asking if this issue has been adequately addressed.
Tulip Siddiq
Lab
Croydon East
Welcomed the Government’s investment in local primary schools for nursery expansion and urged parents to visit beststartinlife.gov.uk.
Stephen Morgan
Lab
Minister, Department for Education
Emphasised the importance of school-based nurseries in Labour's Best Start strategy, highlighted the convenience for families with multiple children attending different schools, and committed to further engagement with constituents regarding safety improvements.
Tom Morrison
LD
Cheadle
Asked about the timeline for updating early years framework on safer sleeping guidance in nurseries following a tragic incident.
Shaun Davies
Lab
Telford
Celebrated the expansion of school-based nursery and breakfast clubs, requested more investment in Telford's schools.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Complimented the Government’s collaboration with Northern Ireland for childcare support and highlighted challenges faced by grandparents working later in life.
Jim Dickson
Lab
Dartford
Welcomed the additional free childcare hours as a boost to local families, especially amid rising numbers of children in Dartford.
Luke Charters
Lab
York Outer
Expressed pride for his son starting preschool and thanked staff for their hard work.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Welcomed the expansion of school-based nurseries, mentioned specific benefits in Sandhurst, highlighted the holiday activities and food programme's success.
Sonia Kumar
Lab
Dudley
Praised the investment in early years staff and childcare places at Beechwood Church of England primary school, asked for further details on its impact.
Steve Race
Lab
Exeter
Noted the benefits from free meals and breakfast clubs introduced by Labour, questioned how these initiatives help reduce child poverty in Exeter.
Deirdre Costigan
Lab
Ealing Southall
Expressed gratitude for funding for Allenby primary school’s nursery expansion and thanked the headteacher, enquired about further assistance for similar establishments.
Chris Bloore
Lab
Redditch
Celebrated the transformation of empty classrooms into nurseries in his constituency through Labour's programme, requested more details on phase 2 funding.
Jessica Toale
Lab
Bournemouth West
Acknowledged the work done at Leaps and Bounds nursery to provide a safe environment for children, asked about making early years education accessible and affordable.
Laurence Turner
Lab
Birmingham Northfield
Appreciated the positive role of trade unions in nurturing the idea of school-based nurseries and requested more information on phase 2 funding for schools.
Jonathan Davies
Lab
Mid Derbyshire
Praises the Sure Start legacy and expresses interest in the Minister's announcement regarding parents and children in Mid Derbyshire.
Announces free breakfast clubs across all primary schools, along with 30 hours of funded childcare support, saving families an average £7,500 annually. Emphasises the Government's commitment to easing financial pressures on families and ensuring children get the best start.
Antonia Bance
Lab
Tipton and Wednesbury
Appreciates the extension of the holiday activities and food programme, paying tribute to Jo Haydon and staff at 4 Community Trust for their work in her constituency.
Acknowledges the contribution made by local groups in delivering the HAF programme, highlighting that 5 million days of service have been provided this year alone.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Asks about Finland’s approach to early education through play and its importance according to Government strategy.
Acknowledges the role of play in learning, indicating a willingness to learn from other countries and discussing the value of play provision for children's development.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
Compliments the Minister’s statement on its impact on young people and families. Discusses early intervention as a priority based on feedback from parents, seeking assurance that this approach will continue under Labour Government.
Acknowledges the importance of early education and support for children with additional needs, committing to work closely with local MPs like Chris Vince to ensure these services are implemented effectively.
Government Response
The Government is expanding funded childcare hours to 30 for working parents and growing provision via school-based nurseries. The Minister highlighted financial benefits, increased availability in disadvantaged areas, and the extension of holiday activities and food programme. Defended Labour's childcare expansion, highlighted nine in ten parents receiving first choice childcare places. Mentioned plans to provide over £8 billion for early years entitlement this year alone. Stressed importance of quality and safety measures such as enhanced recruitment checks and whistleblowing requirements. Defends the government's education policies including childcare entitlements, free breakfast clubs, school uniform cost reduction, best start family hubs and more. Stresses that £8 billion will be spent on the entitlement offer this year increasing to £9 billion next year. Discusses investment in early education, commitment to review SEND system, willingness to meet with MPs for further discussion, ongoing work with the childcare sector. Emphasised the importance of school-based nurseries, highlighted the convenience they offer families, and committed to further engagement with constituents regarding safety improvements. Reiterated Labour’s commitment to making childcare more affordable and accessible for families. Announced free breakfast clubs across all primary schools; provided funding for childcare; discussed holiday activities and food programme progress; emphasised the importance of play in early education; committed to early intervention and support for children with additional needs.
Shadow Response
Saqib Bhatti
Shadow Response
Welcomed childcare expansion but criticised previous Labour actions like jobs tax, warning sector could collapse without urgent action on national insurance contributions.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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