Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Early Years Sector

Tuesday 5 May 2020 · 1 question

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Steve McCabe questioned the Minister about the difficulties faced by nurseries and childcare providers due to confusion over Department for Education statements.
  • The Minister responded that guidelines were first published on 26 March.
  • The Minister stated they will continue to work with the sector to provide clarity on accessing Government support.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve McCabe Lab Birmingham Selly Oak
Children & Families
Context

The early years sector has faced significant challenges due to government statements causing financial uncertainty.

Question

Nurseries and childcare providers have struggled to stay open. The confusion over Department for Education statements on free entitlement and the furlough scheme caused many financial headaches. Last week, the First Secretary of State said at PMQs that if those providers were finding it too much to bear, the Government will look 'afresh' at what can be done. Can the Minister tell me when the Secretary of State will look afresh at what needs to be done?

Answer from Vicky Ford (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Education and Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury)

The guidelines were first published on 26 March, and we will continue to work with the sector to provide clarity to ensure that it can access every single set of Government support available at this time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details about when the Secretary of State will review childcare measures were not provided.

How: Did Not Specify A Timeline For Reviewing Support Measures

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