Childcare Provision 2024-03-11
2024-03-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
No specific context provided.
What steps she is taking to increase childcare provision. Clearly, as my constituent Diane Bennett, who runs a small group of very popular local nurseries, tells me how appreciative she is of the Government's plan for childcare and early education, particularly the £500 million of additional funding that has been secured.
Last week the Chancellor announced that we will be increasing rates until the end of 2027 for early years providers, which is something they have asked for. I cannot give my hon. Friend any reassurance about Labour's plan, because it has no plan.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific concerns raised by the constituent or provide clear reassurances
I Cannot Give My Hon. Friend Any Reassurance About Labour'S Plan, Because It Has No Plan.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Families in the constituency are finding it hard to access affordable childcare. Two providers have mentioned that the current level and structure of free hours funding is not sufficient for expanding.
What reassurances can the Minister offer families in my area that, finally, the Government are going to get on top of the childcare crisis we are facing and make sure that families in my constituency will not have to go without?
We set our rates based on a survey of more than 9,000 providers, in order to get those right. Last year we saw a 13,000 increase in the number of staff in the sector and a 15,000 increase in the number of places.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific concerns about funding levels or expansion capacity for providers
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Local childminders are concerned that monthly payments are not going to local providers, leading to financial difficulties.
Will the Minister meet GCC and I to iron out some of these mechanical issues at local authority level, so that everybody can benefit from what the Government are doing?
I thank my hon. Friend for continuing to champion this sector. She is absolutely right about the importance of paying on a monthly basis, which we encourage all local authorities to do. We will be saying more about that in the coming weeks, and I will be happy to meet her to discuss this further.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific timeline or action plan for resolving payment issues
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Private equity firms have been causing damage in other parts of the education sector, including childcare.
Does he agree that it is quite wrong for private equity firms to be making these eye-watering profits on the backs of hard-working parents? What is he going to do to stop this happening?
The hon. Lady is right to raise the issue of profiteering that we have seen in some areas of children's care and social care. We will be setting out some steps that we will be taking on that shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific measures or timeline for addressing profiteering
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Government has announced additional funding for childcare but there are concerns about clarity in the plan.
My constituent Diane Bennett, who runs a small group of very popular local nurseries, tells me how appreciative she is of the Government's plan for childcare and early education, particularly the £500 million of additional funding that has been secured. Clearly, as she and other nursery providers look ahead, she is concerned that, although the Government have a clear plan, there is no clear plan coming from the Opposition.
My hon. Friend is right. Last week the Chancellor announced that we will be increasing rates until the end of 2027 for early years providers, which is something they have asked for.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide reassurances about specific concerns raised by constituent
Response accuracy