Mr Peter Bedford

Mr Peter Bedford

Conservative — Mid Leicestershire

Speaking in the House of Commons on 20 April 2026

Debate

Free Childcare: Providers

Contribution

I recently met several early years providers, who told me that the 30 hours funded childcare scheme is placing real strain on their businesses because the policy does not take into account the setting up time, the packing away time, and the time spent training and dealing with compliance issues with their staff. Combined with the recent national insurance rises, this is threatening the financial viability of these businesses. Will the Minister agree to review the policy’s implementation so that providers, particularly smaller ones that rely on that funding, are kept financially viable and can provide their services to the people who need them?

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