Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Childcare Provision

Monday 11 March 2024 · 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 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister announced increased funding rates for early years providers until the end of 2027.
  • Last year saw a 13,000 increase in staff and a 15,000 increase in places in the childcare sector.
  • Minister offered to meet GCC and I to discuss mechanical issues at local authority level.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Children & Families
Context

No specific context provided.

Question

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.

Answer from David Johnston

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific concerns raised by the constituent or provide clear reassurances

How: I Cannot Give My Hon. Friend Any Reassurance About Labour'S Plan, Because It Has No Plan.

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Q2 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from David Johnston

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific concerns about funding levels or expansion capacity for providers

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Q3 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
Children & Families Local Government
Context

Local childminders are concerned that monthly payments are not going to local providers, leading to financial difficulties.

Question

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?

Answer from David Johnston

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific timeline or action plan for resolving payment issues

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Q4 Siobhan Baillie
Social Care Children & Families
Context

Private equity firms have been causing damage in other parts of the education sector, including childcare.

Question

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?

Answer from David Johnston

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures or timeline for addressing profiteering

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Q5 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Children & Families
Context

Government has announced additional funding for childcare but there are concerns about clarity in the plan.

Question

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.

Answer from David Johnston

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide reassurances about specific concerns raised by constituent

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