Oral Question·Department for Education
“What steps her Department is taking to increase access to childcare for working parents.”
Tabled: 17 October 2023Answered: 23 October 2023
Answering Minister
the Secretary of State for Education
Answer from Hansard
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Josh MacAlister)
In 2017, the Government’s spending watchdog estimated that free schools would create 57,500 surplus places. This Government took the sensible, pragmatic decision to pause a number of proposed free schools due to real concerns about value for money. We recognise the need for clarity, and we will provide a substantive update on this project and others in the mainstream pipeline review very soon.