Context
The National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill has raised concerns among early years providers about increased costs. Providers in both the private sector and state schools are worried about additional expenses.
Question
Early years providers are being hammered. In many cases, their national insurance costs per staff member are almost doubling. A large number are small businesses in the private sector, while others are schools that are taking children before they go into reception classes. All of them—both primary schools in the state sector and small private providers—are worried about the extra costs being imposed on them. Can the Minister assure my constituents and, indeed, people throughout the country that families will not face higher costs and that those childcare places will still be there? Can he assure the House that we will have more childcare places at the end of this Parliament than we had at the start of it?
Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)
Unlike the Conservative party, we are on the side of working parents, and high-quality education will be available to every child. As for the hon. Gentleman’s substantive point, it would help if the Conservatives were honest. They would not reverse the rise.
Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a direct assurance regarding childcare costs or availability of places.
How: Unlike The Conservative Party, We Are On The Side Of Working Parents
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