Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer on 3 September 2018 to Question 133821, what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland executive on developing a 30 hours free childcare policy in Northern Ireland.

Early education is a devolved matter for a restored Northern Ireland Executive. HMT ministers and officials have had no recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on developing a new childcare offer in Northern Ireland. HMT continues to be willing to provide advice to the Northern Ireland parties and the Northern Ireland Civil Service based on our experience of developing and administering childcare policies in England.