MP urges childcare change to give East of England children 'best start'
She believes reform will give children "the best possible start to life"
The shadow education secretary says the national childcare system needs reforming if children in the east of England are to get “the best possible start to life.”
MP Bridget Phillipson called for change by the government after meeting single parents struggling with childcare costs and provision at the Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery today.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics found that in 2021, there were 161,000 single parents in the east.
But despite the government planning to invest £8 billion into childcare each year, concern remains.
“I’m really concerned about the challenges parents are facing across the eastern region are facing,” said Ms Phillipson.
“We’re in a situation where two children for every childcare place, which means too many families are unable to access the childcare they need so they can work and make contribution.
“Parents are being denied choices by this government.”
"It's a priority for me to see the system change"
In March, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced he would expand free childcare for working parents for up to 30 hours a week by September 2025.
Other plans also include increasing the average hourly rate paid to providers to deliver free childcare for two-year-olds by 30% from £6 to £8 per hour.
This is while raising the amount it will provide to local authorities to help childcare providers, but Ms Phillipson is calling for a rethink.
“The government have committed to spend but piling it onto a system I think isn’t going to work," she added.
“When you’ve got providers going bust because they can’t make it work, too few places already, we need to look differently right across the board on how we deliver childcare in our country.
“It’s a priority for me to see the system change that we support parents to have real choices on what’s right for them and give children the best possible start in life."
Charity preparing for summer holiday struggle
Ms Phillipson met single parent families who are working with Gingerbread, a charity which supports single parents and campaigns for change in policy to help them.
Victoria Benson is the chief executive of Gingerbread and feels a change in the childcare system is vital.
“It’s important that there’s available and affordable and suitable childcare for them,” she said.
“We hear that in many cases, childcare is unaffordable and often people can’t find childcare that suits their needs.
“No parent fits in a box; everybody has different requirements and different situations.”
Single parents spoke to Ms Phillipson about their own circumstances, and the options they have to find childcare.
Ms Benson said a lot of calls have been received by the charity.
She warned the need for childcare will increase as the summer holidays draw closer and feels improvement to the current system might not be coming any time soon.
“They’re always a tricky time to find childcare, but the availability of childcare and situation has got much worse since Covid,” she added.
“I think in upcoming months, it’s going to be a tricky time and until whichever government is in power invests in childcare with proper funding.
“Until government properly funds and makes it easier to use childcare, things aren’t going to improve.”
Government 'recognises cost pressures' for parents
A government spokesperson said it will help remove barriers for parents who’d like to work, such as through its expansion of free childcare.
The spokesperson said:“We are introducing the largest ever expansion of free childcare in England, worth up to an average of £6,500 per child per year for a working family.
“We recognise the cost pressures that childcare can create for parents.
“Which is why later this month, we are increasing the childcare costs that parents on universal credit can claim back by around 50%, up to £950 a month for a single child and £1,629 for two children.”