Labour

This Government has created an affordability crisis by cutting support and pushing up costs for parents - Twigg

Stephen Twigg MP, Labour's Shadow Education Secretary, commenting ahead of a Government announcement on childcare, said:

"This Government has created an affordability crisis by cutting support and pushing up costs for parents. Watering down quality is the wrong way to try to deal with the problem they've caused.

"Experts are warning this could threaten child safety and won't reduce costs. Parents will be worried.

"With a £1,700 Toddler Tax for families with two children, and 401 fewer children's centres, parents are being locked into inflation-busting cost rises while the quality of childcare is undermined."

Professor Eva Lloyd of the University of East London, who has advised Liz Truss on childcare, said:

"The ratio relaxation is unlikely to reduce childcare costs, but may well drive down childcare quality."