A widening gap in government funding for free early years places is pushing up the cost of childcare, according to a National Day Nurseries Association survey carried out in partnership with Nursery World. The survey found that the average rate of funding nurseries receive for providing free places for two-year-olds is £4.89 per child per hour – under the indicative rate of £5.09 set by the government.
Almost six out of 10 young people who approached councils with housing needs were not referred directly to children’s services, according to a report by Homeless Link. The charity’s No Excuses report also said that 17 per cent of homeless 16 and 17 year olds are being placed in unsuitable accommodation.
As many as 8,000 primary school canteens in England could be at risk of closure. Sky News said the canteens are under threat because they are losing money and head teachers are finding them to be a drain on school finances. The founders of the restaurant chain Leon, who are advising the government on school meals, have called on schools in trouble to seek help rather than shut their canteens.
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