School-based Nursery Capital Grants

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Paul Kohler

Wednesday 2nd April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson]

We know from all the evidence that children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds have the most to gain from high-quality early years education. Today’s announcement will allow us to provide more places for them, alongside the expansion and the big uplift in the early years pupil premium. When it comes to childcare, we are determined to enable children from more disadvantaged backgrounds to take up places.

[Mr Paul Kohler (Wimbledon) (LD)]

I welcome the announcement and, in particular, the increased funding, but the Government also need to address the problems of funding nursery provision in the private sector. The Castle Kindergarten in my constituency has written to me saying that new restrictions on what nurseries can charge parents to bridge the gap between Government funding and the actual costs of childcare services are putting most private providers in a precarious position. According to a recent article in The Times, nearly 60% of childcare providers plan to limit the number of Government-funded places owing to those restrictions. Will the Secretary of State meet me, along with my constituents, to discuss this issue?

[Bridget Phillipson]

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary will be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss that further. In respect of charging and guidance, I think it an important principle that parents should have transparency on what they are being charged and what they are being charged for, especially when it comes to access to Government-backed provision. As for funding, I have already told the House that we have increased the early years pupil premium by 45%, and alongside that is the £75 million expansion grant. This year, the rate for under-twos has increased by, on average, 3.4%.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Paul Kohler

Monday 27th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Paul Kohler (Wimbledon) (LD)]

T2. The Government’s decision to make schools foot the bill for the teachers’ pay award is pushing many schools closer to the brink. As the head of Richard Challoner school in my constituency told me, his and many other schools are being forced to consider severe cuts to balance their budgets. What support will the Secretary of State give schools in those difficult circumstances?

[Bridget Phillipson]

I recognise the challenging context that many schools experience after 14 years under the Conservatives. At the Budget, notwithstanding the severe challenges that we face, the Chancellor prioritised key education areas, including making sure that we could deliver on that 5.5% pay award for teachers that the last Government refused to back.