Early Learning and Childcare Funding 2023-06-21
2023-06-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
In the spring Budget of 2023, increased funding was announced for early learning and childcare in England. Claire Hanna asks if similar levels of funding will be provided to Northern Ireland.
If he will have discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on ensuring similar levels of funding for Northern Ireland to that announced for early learning and childcare in the spring Budget of 2023.
In his spring Budget, the Chancellor stated that Northern Ireland would receive Barnett consequentials for 2023-24 and 2024-25 as a result of increased UK Government spending on childcare policy reform in England.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific commitment to have discussions with the Chancellor was not addressed directly.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There is no childcare strategy in Northern Ireland, placing many families under extreme financial pressure due to growing costs. Research by Melted Parents highlights the failure of families in Northern Ireland on this issue.
The Secretary of State may be aware that there is no childcare strategy in Northern Ireland and very little support, which is placing many families under extreme financial pressure because of growing costs, exacerbating inequality among children and forcing many, particularly women, to abandon their career for years. Research by the advocacy group Melted Parents demonstrates that families in Northern Ireland have been consistently failed on this issue. Does the Secretary of State agree that childcare must be recognised as a core part of the economic and societal fabric, as well as a tool to give kids a great start in life? Will he support the Department of Education and others to ensure that families in Northern Ireland can finally access the benefits promised in the Budget, promised in New Decade, New Approach and promised before that as well?
The Government recognised in the Budget how important childcare is, and we do work with the Department of Education. According to its figures, there were 22,715 pupils in funded pre-school education in Northern Ireland in the 2022-23 academic year, which is 91% of three-year-olds in the population.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific commitment to support the Department of Education was not addressed directly.
Response accuracy