Childcare Support Working Parents 2023-12-11
2023-12-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the need to provide more support for working parents through childcare services.
What steps she is taking to increase childcare support for working parents. By 2027-28, we expect to spend in excess of £8 billion every year on free childcare hours and early education, representing the single largest investment in childcare in England ever.
The Government announced earlier this year transformative reforms to childcare to benefit children, parents and the economy. By 2027-28, we expect to spend in excess of £8 billion every year on free childcare hours and early education, representing the single largest investment in childcare in England ever.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the need to provide more incentives for parents, especially women, to return to work by combining improved childcare provisions with increased flexibility in work arrangements.
In recent months, I have visited several early years providers across Bracknell Forest, where it is clear that the improved provision and ratios will make a big difference both for working families and for the providers. Could the Minister please outline what more could be done to better incentivise working parents to return to work?
Last week the Department for Business and Trade published its response to its consultation on flexible working, making clear that this Government are committed to changes to legislation that will enable more flexible working. Together with our expansion of childcare, that will ensure parents have more choice over how, when and where they work.
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Early Education and Childcare Coalition has found that a significant number of nursery staff are considering leaving the early years sector in the next year. The question arises from the need to retain these skilled workers.
Welcome back, Mr Speaker. The Early Education and Childcare Coalition has found that 57% of nursery staff and 38% of childminders are considering leaving the early years sector in the next 12 months. That absolutely cannot happen. What evidence does my hon. Friend have that the UK is retaining nursery staff and childminders, and what can we be doing to ensure the new system is successful?
I thank my hon. Friend for her work championing the early years workforce and join her in the tributes she pays to them. The total number of paid early years staff has remained stable in recent years, and between 2021 and 2022 the number of staff increased by 2%, or 5,900 people. We will publish updated statistics in the coming weeks.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for evidence on retention rates but only received information on overall stability and a promise to provide future data.
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the concern that high costs of preschool and out-of-school care are preventing many skilled individuals, especially women, from returning to work.
Is it not a fact that after 13 years of the Conservatives in government, our country is in a situation where preschool and out-of-school care is the most expensive in Europe and beyond? We have so many talented people—especially women, but men as well—who are not coming back to use their high skills to recharge the economy, because they cannot afford childcare. What is the Minister going to do about it?
What we are doing is making the single largest investment ever made in childcare. That is going to save the average family up to £6,500 per year on the cost of childcare, in contrast to the hon. Gentleman's party, which has no policy for this area whatsoever.
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