Mr Clarke was asked whether the Government would provide guidance on pay levels for childcare workers to ensure parity across all sectors, a question that prompted vigorous applause from delegates in the packed hall of the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre. He responded, 'There are a large number of people working in the sector at very low rates of pay, and that is a serious problem for the sector.'
Mr Clarke said that the issue of childcare workers' pay would be tackled in the forthcoming green paper on children at risk, due out this summer.
Although he did not think the Government would put forward specific figures, he said, 'I do acknowledge that we need to get levels of pay up in the sector. I anticipate much more dialogue between Government and employers so we can integrate increasing pay and increasing professionalism.'
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