, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Children and Early
Years, responding to research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies
showing that many childcare providers face big financial problems
as a result of the pandemic, said:
“Coronavirus has delivered a hammer blow to a childcare sector
that was already on its knees after years of underfunding by the
Government.
“This government’s incompetence has left us on the verge of
losing many thousands of childcare places – an outcome that would
be devastating for many working families and the children whose
life chances are shaped by early education.
“Labour has been arguing for targeted support to save sectors
like childcare that have been worst hit in this pandemic.
Ministers must not allow nurseries, childminders and the families
that rely on them to pay the price for their serial incompetence
and failure to support essential services.”
Ends
Notes to editors
· A new report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies ‘Challenges
for the childcare market: the implications of COVID-19 for
childcare providers in England’, which will be published on 00.01
Friday 4 September, highlights that many childcare providers had
weak finances going into the crisis and that the loss of income
from parent-paid fees since March will mean that many providers
face a tough time keeping their doors open.
