Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

James Sunderland Excerpts
Monday 11th December 2023

(11 months, 2 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
James Sunderland Portrait James Sunderland (Bracknell) (Con)
- Hansard - -

4. What steps she is taking to increase childcare support for working parents.

Siobhan Baillie Portrait Siobhan Baillie (Stroud) (Con)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

14. What steps she is taking to increase childcare support for working parents.

David Johnston Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (David Johnston)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

The Government announced earlier this year transformative reforms to childcare to benefit children, parents and the economy. By 2027-28, we expect to spend in excess of £8 billion every year on free childcare hours and early education, representing the single largest investment in childcare in England ever.

James Sunderland Portrait James Sunderland
- View Speech - Hansard - -

In recent months, I have visited several early years providers across Bracknell Forest, where it is clear that the improved provision and ratios will make a big difference both for working families and for the providers. Could the Minister please outline what more could be done to better incentivise working parents to return to work?

David Johnston Portrait David Johnston
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

Last week the Department for Business and Trade published its response to its consultation on flexible working, making clear that this Government are committed to changes to legislation that will enable more flexible working. Together with our expansion of childcare, that will ensure parents have more choice over how, when and where they work.