Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Tracy Brabin Excerpts
Monday 25th June 2018

(6 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nadhim Zahawi Portrait Nadhim Zahawi
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I do agree that access to childcare is very important. I will look at the specific details the hon. Gentleman mentions, but suffice it to say that we are investing £50 million more to help schools to open a nursery setting.

Tracy Brabin Portrait Tracy Brabin (Batley and Spen) (Lab/Co-op)
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May I push the Minister further on the report from the National Day Nurseries Association, which was mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Walton (Dan Carden)? Not only is there, as mentioned, an annual funding deficit of £2,000 per 30-hours child, but a third of nurseries are having to limit the funded places they offer and a third of nurseries are being paid late for the work they do. To support our childcare providers, will the Minister tell us how many local authorities will see a real-terms funding increase in the next academic year?

Nadhim Zahawi Portrait Nadhim Zahawi
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The hon. Lady rightly speaks about the important research by the NDNA. Our own research demonstrates that 80% of providers are willing and able to offer places, and one third have actually increased their places.