Oral Answers to Questions

Robert Goodwill Excerpts
Monday 12th June 2023

(1 year, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Claire Coutinho Portrait Claire Coutinho
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I completely recognise that this has been difficult for families, but that is exactly why we are taking action. We are making the single largest ever investment in childcare. We will be doubling the amount we spend on it by 2027-28, and that will start with additional funding this year.

Robert Goodwill Portrait Sir Robert Goodwill (Scarborough and Whitby) (Con)
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Parents were delighted to hear in the spring Budget of the extension of childcare provision, which is being phased in to allow the sector to gear up, recruit and train. Will my hon. Friend give me an update on how that is progressing, in terms of having enough highly skilled people in place to do that important work?

Claire Coutinho Portrait Claire Coutinho
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That is the crucial issue when it comes to delivery, and we have already taken steps. We are consulting on flexibilities for the sector to make sure that we have the right people in place for the first part of the roll-out, which will be in April 2024. We have also been making sure that more funding is going into the system this year.