Truss defends ratio plans in face of cross-party opposition

Responding today (Thursday) to an urgent parliamentary question raised on the matter by Labour's shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg, Elizabeth Truss, the childcare minister responsible for the reforms, said the government would not change its policy.

Truss told the Commons: “We have outlined our plans in More Great Childcare. We’re currently consulting on the level of qualifications required to fulfil these ratios.”

The debate was called after the Deputy Prime Minister, Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg, said he did not back the childcare reforms. It also follows doubts raised by Conservative backbench MP Andrea Leadsom, who stated publically in April that she opposed plans to change ratios for children aged under two.

During the debate, Truss said the proposals were supported by Ofsted’s chief inspector, Michael Wilshaw.

“Sir Michael Wilshaw wrote an article where he said he supports higher qualifications for higher ratios for three- and four-year-olds and he agreed that should be extended down the age range,” she said.

But this assertion was challenged by Labour Party MPs, who pointed out Wilshaw had not specifically backed ratios proposals.

Their challenge was qualified by Sue Gregory, Ofsted’s director of early childhood, who told CYP Now the watchdog had no official position on the ratios proposals.

Labour MP for Manchester Central, Lucy Powell, is to table an early day motion later today to raise concerns about the childcare ratio proposals. She reiterated Twigg’s call for the government to drop the plans.

"The Tory-led government doesn't just have a problem with Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems on childcare ratios, but with their own side as well,” she said.

“During the committee stage of the Children and Families Bill on which I sat, Andrea Leadsom, a great supporter of early attachment, voiced her opposition to ratio changes for under-twos in particular.

“These half-baked government proposals on ratios need to change and I hope that Truss will listen to colleagues across the House, childcare organisations, experts, providers and parents and ditch these plans."

Leadsom recently set up an All-Party Parliamentary Group on conception to age two, and has approached Truss about changing ratios proposals for this age group.

“I am arguing strongly with my honourable friend the minister that we should not change the ratios for under-twos,” she said in April during a parliamentary debate.

Today’s urgent question followed comments made by Clegg reported by BBC’s Newsnight that he would block the childcare ratios reforms.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, which has led petitions against the proposals, welcomed the development.

"We greatly welcome Nick Clegg's comment that he 'remains to be persuaded' about childcare ratio changes as we have been campaigning against these ridiculous changes ever since they were proposed by the government back in January,” he said.