Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Early Years Funding 2025-26

10 December 2024 · Department for Education

Proposed by Stephen Morgan Lab Portsmouth South

Children & Families

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

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The government will provide over 8 billion for early years entitlements in 2025-26.
  • An additional 75 million investment will be made through an expansion grant.
  • Local authority core funding rates are set to increase by up to 4.1%.

Issue summary

The statement discusses the government's plans to increase early years entitlements funding in 2025-26 and expand childcare provision.

Action requested

The government will provide over £8 billion for early years entitlements, with an additional £75 million investment through an expansion grant. The minimum pass-through requirement for local authorities is increased from April 2025, and local authority core funding rates are set to increase by up to 4.1%. Local authorities must communicate their funding rates to providers by February 28th, 2025.

Key facts

  • The government expects to provide over £8 billion for early years entitlements in 2025-26.
  • An additional £75 million of revenue funding will be invested through an expansion grant.
  • Early years pupil premium rates are increasing by over 45% per hour, up to £1 per hour in 2025-26.
  • Local authority core funding rates for the 3- and 4-year-old hourly funding is increasing by 4.1%, while the 2-year-old rate increases by 3.3%.
  • The minimum pass-through requirement for local authorities will increase to at least 96% from April 2025.
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