Child-care Ratios

Damian Hinds Excerpts
Thursday 9th May 2013

(11 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. The disadvantage of that question is that it does not relate to the terms of the urgent question, so we will leave it there.

Damian Hinds Portrait Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con)
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Are there not two key issues? First, the question of ratios is linked to high-quality staff, which itself has a cost. Secondly, the reforms are enabling, not compulsory, and parents can continue to choose the right setting for their child.

Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Labour Members have not come up with any answers as to how they would incentivise nurseries to improve quality and staff salaries or how they would reduce costs in the system that they created, which is now one of the most expensive in the world.