MPs to debate 30-hour funding
Monday, October 9, 2017
A House of Commons debate on the 'effect of the 30 hours' is to take place on Thursday (12 October).
The debate in Westminster Hall has been secured by Labour MP for High Peak Ruth George, who has invited the children and families minister Robert Goodwill to attend.
Ahead of the event, childcare providers are being urged to contact their local MP with any concerns or questions they have about the 30 hours for the chance for them to be raised during the debate.
‘I am very pleased to have secured a 90-minute debate on Thursday on the 30 hours of funded childcare and to have opportunity to detail all the problems experienced by parents, nurseries and childminders - and to have the Minister responsible to have to respond to the debate,' Ms George said.
'The more MPs who speak in Thursday's debate, the more that the government will realise that they cannot get away with it. MPs are far more likely to attend and speak in a debate if they realise that it is important for their constituents.
'Please do email your own MP to request that they attend the debate in Westminster Hall on Thursday from 3pm to 4.30pm - even better if you could also give your views or experience and ask them to raise it with the Minister in the debate.
'I will be calling for the Government to rigorously assess the impact of the 30 hours (under) funded places and to address the funding urgently in the Budget later in the autumn.'
The shadow minister for early years Tracy Brabin has confirmed that she will be attending the debate, along with the Pre-School Learning Alliance, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY), and members of the Champage Nurseries, Lemonade Funding campaign group.
Ms Brabin said, 'Thursday’s debate gives us a great opportunity to hear from Minister Goodwill about how the 30 hours roll-out is going from the Government’s perspective.
'I have a list of concerns I’d like him to respond to, including the impact of levels of funding, the children not in a place and the discrepancies from local authority to local authority.
'I’m also well aware of the strain the finances have put on providers, I’m pleased to be bringing so many to Parliament so their voices can be heard. I still hope Robert Goodwill will take the opportunity to meet with them.'
- Read Ruth George's comment here
