Question to the Department for Education:

What assessment he has made of the effect of the Government’s policy on funded childcare on the financial viability of childcare settings.

By 2019-20, we will be spending approximately £6 billion a year on childcare support, including £1 billion to deliver 30 hours of free childcare and pay the higher funding rates that were introduced in April 2017.

These rates were based on our ‘Review of Childcare Costs’, which was described as thorough and wide ranging by the National Audit Office.

We are providing tailored support to providers on business sustainability and continue to monitor the implementation of 30 hours of free childcare.