Conservatives failing to properly fund childcare, claims Labour leader
CHILDREN ARE being failed by Conservative under-funding of child care, Jeremy Corbyn has claimed in the final stages of a tour of Tory marginals.
The Labour leader visited the Midlands to highlight the closure of a string of Sure Start centres, which provide support for parents.
During a visit to a Sure Start centre in Corby, Northamptonshire, he said: “The Conservatives are failing young children and their families.
“On their watch, eight Sure Start centres have already been lost in Northamptonshire and their refusal to properly fund their own childcare policies will mean more and more families not getting the support they need and deserve.
“Childcare and early years providers across the country, like The Pen Green Centre in Corby, need the funding to deliver 30 hours of free childcare for three and four-year-olds.
“Across the country, providers have made that case to the Government but Ministers are refusing to listen.
“The next Labour government will make sure childcare providers have the resources they need to deliver 30 hours of high-quality childcare to every two to fouryear-old, as well as investing £500 million in Sure Start, which was one of the important achievements of the last Labour government.”
Under the Government’s plans, all three and four-year-olds in England will be entitled to 30 free hours of childcare a week from this month, up from 15 hours.
Earlier this week, the Government apologised to parents for “teething problems” with the new scheme after some found it difficult to secure the free support.