Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Early Years Support for Families

Monday 17 April 2023 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mary Foy inquired about childcare funding clarity and increased free hours without underfunding, citing a cost of 7.49 per hour.
  • The Government announced a 8 billion investment over four years in childcare, with a 30% increase for two-year-olds.
  • Feedback from 10,000 providers was used to set funding rates, and there is positivity about the increased rates for one and two-year-olds.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mary Foy Lab City of Durham
Education Children & Families
Context

The question stems from concerns expressed by childcare providers about inadequate funding and clarity on the government's plans. Providers are worried that increased free hours may not translate into better financial support.

Question

I recently visited the outstanding Laurels Childcare Company in Durham to listen to its concerns about childcare funding. Such providers are crying out for clarity on the Government's plan. More free hours must not mean more underfunded hours. The Government admitted in 2020 that it costs £7.49 to deliver an hour of free childcare for a three-year-old, yet in September providers will be paid just £5.50 for those hours. Can the Minister tell me why?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

We conducted a survey of 10,000 different providers and used that feedback to set out the funding rates. For two-year-olds, we have increased the rate by 30% because it is higher for this age group. We have announced the single biggest investment ever in childcare with £8 billion over four years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific discrepancy between actual costs and funding rates was not directly addressed.

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Q2 Mary Foy Lab City of Durham
Children & Families
Context

Concerns about the impact of rising business rates and increased national living wage on childcare providers.

Question

The commitment in the Budget to invest in childcare in the early years was extremely welcome. Can she update the House on the feedback she is getting from the sector on the proposed funding rates and whether they will allow it to meet inflationary pressures, including soaring business rates bills? Will she continue to address with the Treasury some of the unavoidable costs?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

Feedback from 10,000 providers was used to set out funding rates. There has been positivity about increased rates for one and two-year-olds with £200 million this year and £288 million next year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issues of business rates and national living wage increases were not addressed directly.

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Q3 Robin Walker Con
Education Benefits & Welfare
Context

Rising food insecurity among children, with seven out of ten universal credit families not eligible for free school meals.

Question

One thing I am most concerned about is educational attainment in early years and primary due to food insecurity. The Institute for Fiscal Studies found that seven out of ten children in families on universal credit are not entitled to free school meals. Do Ministers agree they should be?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

We have increased the number of children on free school meals to record levels. We also have programmes like the holiday activities and food programme, which provides nutritious meals alongside activities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issue of extending free school meal eligibility was not directly addressed.

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Q4 Alyn Smith
Children & Families
Context

Recognition of the work done by private sector childcare providers like Busy Bees, founded in Lichfield.

Question

Will my hon. Friend pay tribute to the work done by the private sector, and in particular to Busy Bees, which was founded in Lichfield 40 years ago this year and operates over 400 nurseries in multiple countries?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

My hon. Friend is testament to the fact that good things come out of Lichfield. I have met Busy Bees and it does impressive work on staff retention and training programmes. I wish it well in the years to come.

Answered
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Q5 Michael Fabricant Con
Children & Families
Context

Concerns over the adequacy and accessibility of early years support, including childcare funding.

Question

What steps are being taken to help ensure families have access to adequate early years support?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

In the past five years, more than £20 billion has been spent on supporting families with childcare costs. We have introduced the offer for disadvantaged two-year-olds and doubled entitlements for working parents of three to four-year-olds. Additionally, 30 hours of free childcare is being offered from nine months.

Answered
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