NEU responds to Jeremy Corbyn Speech to Labour Party Conference

Commenting on the Leader of the Opposition’s speech at Labour Party Conference, which detailed plans for universal free high-quality childcare, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:

"We welcome these proposals wholeheartedly. Universal free high-quality childcare is what a government which cares for children should be doing.

“Labour's proposals promise not only to increase the quantity of Early Years provision but also its quality. Recruiting Early Years workers in large numbers, and improving and extending their education will be challenging. But they are the right moves, which will benefit children and their families.

“Good Early Years provision is the bedrock of a successful education system. Labour's proposals are ambitious and necessary. Implementing them will require large-scale funding over a long period. This announcement is a good beginning to this long-term task.”

“We welcome the Labour Party’s commitment to ensure all young people realise their full potential. For this to happen the school funding crisis needs to be addressed and the causes of the deepening teacher recruitment and retention crisis, including pay, workload and a burdensome accountability system, are resolved”.