CYP Now - Labour and Conservative childcare pledges will hit ‘poor urban areas’ hardest, think-tank warns

Disadvantaged urban areas are set to be hardest hit by a surge in demand for childcare places under early years plans published in both the Conservative and Labour parties’ manifestos, a think-tank is warning.

Main party pledges could increase demand for childcare for parents of under-twos by 52% by late 2025, researchers have warned. Picture: Rio Patuca Images/Adobe Stock

The Centre for Progressive Policy’s analysis of the parties’ election pledges found that Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Hull are among areas that will face staff shortfalls of around a fifth of their workforce as they battle to meet demand for places.

Outer London’s Hillingdon and Redbridge, as well Thurrock and Southend on Sea in Essex, will also be hardest hit by staff shortfalls.

In its manifesto the Conservatives have promised to fulfil its aim of giving 30 hours of free childcare a week to working parents of children as young as nine-months old by 2025.

Meanwhile, Labour has also committed to this pledge and has announced plans for a further 3,000 new primary school-based nurseries, adding around 100,000 nursery places.

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