Creche for House of Commons is put on hold

A Westminster council spokesperson said, 'Following a city council planning meeting last week, a decision was made to defer granting planning permission.'

Plans for the creche are now open for public consultation.

The House of Commons creche was expected to open in September on a site currently used as a bar and cafeteria, known as Bellamy's Bar at Number 1 Parliament street. It is thought that converting the bar would cost £490,000.

A spokesperson for the House of Commons said users of the creche would be charged at 'market rate' with no subsidies, and a private provider would run the setting.

Calls for a nursery at the House of Commons began more than 20 years ago but failed to secure enough support within the parliamentary estate until last year, when the House of Commons Commission, headed by Speaker John Bercow, acknowledged the need for childcare facilities. Mr Bercow said Parliament was 'behind the times' and needed to be more family-friendly.