Oral QuestionDepartment for Education

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of 30 hours of free childcare on early years providers.

Tabled: 14 April 2026Answered: 20 April 2026

Asked by

Mr Peter Bedford

ConservativeMid Leicestershire

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Education

Answer from Hansard

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Olivia Bailey)

This Labour Government’s record expansion of free childcare is saving working families across the country over £8,000 a year. We have worked closely with early education providers across the sector throughout the roll-out, and I thank them for their tireless work. We are investing over £9 billion in early years entitlements this year, and I am pleased to say that we have seen a huge increase in the number of places that providers have on offer.