Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Nursery Provision: South-west England

06 February 2024 · 7 other contributors · 8,973 words

Opened by Luke Pollard Labour (Co-op) Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

Responding minister: Not recorded

EconomyHousingChildren & Families

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Luke Pollard raised concerns about nursery provision: south-west england in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about rising childcare costs during a cost of living crisis, impacting access for many families.
  • Nurseries in the south-west face financial pressures due to staff shortages and geographical challenges, leading to fewer places and higher costs.
  • The closure of nurseries disproportionately affects poorer communities, impacting over 100 families in Plymouth alone.

Key requests to Government

The Government must act urgently before more nurseries close, deliver on the promise of free childcare for every child in the south-west, provide certainty to the sector by releasing funding rates early, reduce the cost of childcare for families, and address the lack of provision in poorer areas. Can the Minister clarify what action will be taken to ensure these promises are met?

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Luke Pollard Labour (Co-op) Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

Childcare bills have skyrocketed during a cost of living crisis, leaving many families unable to access childcare. Nurseries in the south-west are buckling under financial pressures due to staff shortages and geographical challenges, leading to fewer places and higher costs. The closure of nurseries disproportionately affects poorer communities and leaves 100 families without childcare in Plymouth alone. Providers face rising bills, free childcare funding that does not cover actual costs, and a retention and recruitment crisis.

Other contributors (7)
  • Fiona Bruce Con Congleton

    Providers in Fiona Bruce's constituency face similar recruitment challenges to those in Plymouth, despite some differences. She notes that before and after-school clubs also struggle with staff recruitment.

  • Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood

    The MP highlighted the problems with recruiting staff, rising bills for providers, low pay in the sector, and the challenges faced by parents of children with special educational needs. She pointed out that 4,800 childcare providers were forced to close last year due to rising costs and that there are now two children for every Ofsted-registered place, creating a barrier to employment for women.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon highlights the high cost of childcare in Northern Ireland, averaging £10,036 a year for full-time places, up 14% from 2021. He urges discussions with the Education Minister to address these costs and support children's development.

  • Kevin Foster Con Torbay

    Discussed the challenges of childcare provision in Torbay, noting demographic issues affecting recruitment and highlighted the need for flexible systems to ensure parental choice. Mentioned funding disparities between areas and expressed interest in partnerships with local colleges.

  • Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton

    Sarah Dyke thanks the hon. Gentleman for the debate and raises concerns about nurseries subsidising state funding due to insufficient one-to-one support for children with special educational needs.

  • Steve Double Con St Austell and Newquay

    Concerns about childcare shortages and high costs were shared across parties, with a focus on the structural issues affecting nurseries in both urban and rural areas. The Government's delivery of free childcare is not working as intended.

  • Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

    The early years sector is in crisis due to high childcare costs and inadequate funding. In Bath, two nurseries closed last year alone, leaving parents scrambling for alternatives. The sector struggles with staff shortages as poor pay and long hours deter qualified candidates. Properly funded nursery provision is crucial for mothers' career progression and closing the achievement gap between richer and poorer families.

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