MPS urge Sunak to reform childcare in back-to-work drive

A PLANNED push to get more people into work risks being pointless without major childcare reforms, Conservative MPS have told Rishi Sunak.

Nine million Britons of working age are not actively looking for a job, which has prompted Mel Stride, the Work and Pensions Secretary, to launch a review amid record vacancies. Liz Truss, the former prime minister, had planned a “big bang” overhaul of the childcare system, designed to cut bureaucracy and extend free provision, but this was ditched by Mr Sunak last week.

Backbenchers have now urged the Prime Minister to unveil proposals of his own to avoid undermining the Government’s back-to-work drive.

Siobhan Baillie, Tory MP for Stroud and a leading advocate of childcare reform, said: “It should be a key offer for us, especially when we are saying we want to get people more productive and back into work. That’s what parents want to do – but they’re telling us it’s too expensive and the system doesn’t work.”

Sir Stephen Timms, Labour’s work and pensions committee chairman, added: “The very low childcare cap is a significant hindrance for people who would like to do what the Government is urging them to, which is to increase their working hours.”