Childcare reforms plans in ‘chaos’, Labour says
Labour accuses the government of “chaos and incompetence” over its plans to change childcare ratios, as Nick Clegg says he will not back the Conservatives over its plans.
The deputy prime minister’s spokesman said yesterday that he “remains to be persuaded” over government plans to increase the number of children an adult can care for.
Under the plans, being championed by education minister Liz Truss, the number of two-year-olds an adult can care for would be increased from four to six, whilst the number of under-two-year-olds would increase from three to four.
“The delivery of good quality affordable childcare is one of Nick Clegg’s biggest priorities in government,” Mr Clegg’s spokesman said.
Isn’t this yet another example of chaos and incompetence at the heart of government policy making? Stephen Twigg
“He has looked very closely at proposals to increase the number of children each adult can look after – and at the very serious concerns raised by parents and childcare providers in the recent government consultation.
“Nick remains to be persuaded that this is the right thing to do for very young children. Or, crucially, to be persuaded that this would actually help families with high childcare costs. This continues to be discussed in government.”
‘Chaos and incompetence’
The reforms prompted shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg to ask an urgent question in the House of Commons (see video, above).
In his question to Ms Truss, Mr Twigg said: “Yesterday we were told that the government was pushing ahead with its plans to weaken childcare ratios despite widespread opposition.
We are clear that quality and safety are paramount. Downing Street
“Late last night, the ink was not even dry on the (Queen’s) gracious speech when we learned that the government might in fact be u-turning on its policy. Isn’t this yet another example of chaos and incompetence at the heart of government policy making?
“When you came to the house in January and announced this policy, we told her that you were threatening the quality of childcare, doing nothing to address the spiralling costs of childcare and dismissing the advice of your own experts.
“Since that announcement, the scale of public opposition to her plans has been overwhelming.”
‘More flexibility’
In response, Ms Truss said: “Of course opinion is divided in the British academic establishment, however I would point out to the honourable genetlemen that these policies are alive and well in France, in Ireland, in Holland, in Germany.
“There is not a single country including Scotland were the ratios are as low as they are here in England.
“And the honourable gentleman has not come up with any response on what he plans to do about the appaulingly low wages in the childcare sector, the high levels of staff turnover, he hasn’t come up with any ideas about how he is going to reduce costs.
“Is this another spending commitment that he is pledging when his party has already pledged many more spending commitments than they have money to pay for?”
A Downing Street spokesman said: “We are reforming the childcare system so that providers have more flexibility when they have highly qualified staff.
“Ratio changes, which are not compulsory, will allow providers to have the flexibility to increase pay for better qualified workers.
“We are clear that quality and safety are paramount – any changes to ratios will only be on the basis of increased qualification levels and will not be mandatory.
“The consultation was agreed government policy and we will respond to it in due course.”
