Labour slammed for 'flip-flop' on universal free childcare
‘An absolute shambles’: Labour slammed for ‘flip-flop’ on universal free childcare as party looks to cut spending obligations ahead of election
- Shadow education spokesman Bridget Philipson wanted to guarantee childcare
Labour was last night accused of flip-flopping after it ruled out offering universal free childcare to all youngsters.
In a bid to reduce spending commitments ahead of the next general election, the party is now considering a means-tested offer.
Shadow education spokesman Bridget Phillipson had signalled her ambition to guarantee childcare from the end of parental leave to the end of primary school.
She said she wanted reforms to resemble the ‘creation of the NHS’, but shadow ministers are looking at cheaper options that fall short of the original proposals. The party could offer more support for poorer families while tapering it off for higher earners, according to The Guardian.
A Labour spokesman said: ‘An expansion of childcare to all children is not Labour’s policy. Last year Labour announced that as part of its plans to modernise childcare that we will deliver free breakfast clubs for all primary school pupils in England, paid for by closing the non-dom tax loophole, and allowing councils to offer more childcare provision where they are able to do so.’
Shadow education spokesman Bridget Phillipson (pictured) had signalled her ambition to guarantee childcare from the end of parental leave to the end of primary school
Sources told The Guardian that Labour is considering a range of options to extend childcare support to as many families as possible while still ensuring government debt is falling (File image)
A Tory source last night branded the decision to rule out universal childcare as ‘the umpteenth flip-flop from Labour’.
‘It just goes to show that their policies are an absolute shambles,’ they said.
Sources told The Guardian that Labour is considering a range of options to extend childcare support to as many families as possible while still ensuring government debt is falling by the end of the parliament.
In March, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that 30 hours a week of paid-for care will include children aged from nine months to four years from September 2025.
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