Commenting on today's Summer Statement, Neil Leitch,
chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said:
“It is unfathomable that the government has once again
failed to commit to any additional financial support for the
early years sector.
“With one in four nurseries, pre-schools and childminders
fearing closure within the year, rising to one in three in the
most disadvantaged areas, it is clear that inaction is not an
option - and yet the government continues to ignore the fact
that the childcare sector in this country is in crisis.
“The Chancellor today promised that the government would
'protect, support and create jobs', but the fact is that if
parents are unable to access childcare because so many early
years providers have been forced into closure, this simply
won’t be possible.
"With the furlough scheme confirmed as ending in October,
the financial pressure on childcare settings is only going to
worsen over the coming months. While the new Job Retention
Bonus for unfurloughed staff kept on until at least January is
a welcome policy, for those providers unsure whether or not
they will survive the autumn, it will come as little
comfort.
“The government needs to urgently reconsider this
short-sighted approach and commit to providing the financial
support that the childcare sector needs not only to survive the
immediate challenges caused by the coronavirus crisis, but also
to remain sustainable in the longer term.”
