Labour on new government data showing over 2,500 childcare providers have closed

Tulip Siddiq MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Children and Early Years, commenting on new government data showing that over 2,500 childcare providers have been lost since the start of the year, said:

"Labour has repeatedly warned that thousands of childcare providers could shut their doors forever without better support.

"This worrying data shows that our worst fears are being realised, with children, parents and our economy suffering as a result of the Government’s chronic underfunding and lack of pandemic support.

"The Government is failing to listen to families and must now take urgent steps to prevent further childcare closures and rebuild this essential infrastructure after a decade of neglect."

Ends

Notes to editors:

According to government statistics, there were 74,130 childcare providers in England as of 31^st December 2020. The latest data release shows that there were 71,535 childcare providers as of 31^st May 2021. This amounts to a loss of 2,595 childcare providers since the start of the year.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/joiners-and-leavers-in-the-childcare-sector