Childcare Availability 2024-11-04
2024-11-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raised concerns about the need for more early years places and outdated business rates affecting nurseries.
What steps she is taking to increase the availability of high-quality childcare. With Government data showing that 70,000 more early years places need to be created by next year, will the Secretary of State commit to removing unfair business rates from nurseries and pre-schools?
We are determined to deliver a sea change in early years education. We will repurpose empty classrooms to create or expand school-based nurseries, making childcare more accessible and affordable. We intend to reform the early years sector overall and look closely at this into next year.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to removing unfair business rates from nurseries and pre-schools
Looking Closely At This Into Next Year
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP welcomed the Government's £1.8 billion commitment to expanding publicly funded childcare and inquired about interim support during the transition.
As a mother in the north-west, I thank the Secretary of State and welcome the Government's £1.8 billion commitment to expanding publicly funded childcare. Can she share any plans for interim support to keep childcare affordable for working families relying on private providers?
We will look closely at all considerations as part of our early years strategy review. We will take account of workforce recruitment, quality of provision and other factors for the sector.
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Assessment & feedback
Concrete plans for interim support during transition
Looking Closely At This Into Next Year
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP welcomed her position as constructive Opposition and inquired about the Government's early years funding rates.
May I say how delighted I am to be in the role? In that spirit, I ask the Secretary of State to confirm that the Government's early years funding rates for all age groups will increase. Will she give us a figure for how much that will cost the Department for Education?
We will set out more detail on funding rates in due course. The Conservative party left behind commitments without a plan to make them real, leaving us with a £22 billion hole in public finances.
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Assessment & feedback
Providing a figure for the cost of increasing early years funding rates
Left Behind Commitments Without A Plan
£22 Billion Hole
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raised concerns about the impact of last week's national insurance rise on private and voluntary providers in the early years sector.
Two thirds of early years places are delivered by private and voluntary providers. What assessment has the Department for Education made of the impact of last week's national insurance rise? How much more do parents have to pay in nursery fees?
We expect to provide £8.1 billion for early years entitlements in 2025-26, an increase of about 30% from the previous year. We are looking at what the changes mean for providers and will have more to say shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific figures on additional costs for parents
Will Have More To Say Shortly
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expressed concern about statutory maternity pay and inquired about the Secretary's discussions on boosting support for parents who want to spend more time at home.
Alongside formal childcare, many parents want the option of spending more time at home. Does she agree that statutory maternity pay is far from excessive? What discussions has she had with ministerial colleagues about supporting parents?
The Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade are looking carefully at parental leave entitlements. We share concern about comments from the Conservative party leader regarding maternity pay.
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Assessment & feedback
Concrete plans or figures related to boosting support for parents
Looking Carefully At Parental Leave
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP welcomed her position as constructive Opposition and asked about the Government's early years funding rates.
May I say how delighted I am to be in the role? In that spirit, I ask the Secretary of State to confirm that the Government's early years funding rates for all age groups will increase. Will she give us a figure for how much that will cost the Department for Education?
We are determined to deliver a sea change in early years education. The Conservative party left behind commitments without a plan, leaving us with tough decisions on public finances.
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Assessment & feedback
Providing figures for the cost of increasing funding rates
Tough Decisions On Public Finances
Response accuracy