CYP Now - Helen Hayes brands plans to relax childcare ratios 'nonsense'

The shadow minister for children and early years has branded government proposals to relax or scrap childcare ratios as “nonsense", adding that the Labour Party would not seek to remove any childcare regulations to cut costs for parents.

Shadow children and early years minister Helen Hayes. Picture: Parliament UK - Parliament UK

The government recently consulted on plans to change staff:child ratios for two-year-olds from 1:4 to 1:5, sparking widespread concern from childcare experts and organisations, as well as doubts surrounding the plan’s effectiveness in reducing parental costs.

Though the government is yet to respond to the consultation directly, Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng's mini budget suggested plans to move forward with the childcare reforms.

Meanwhile, reports published in the Daily Mail suggest that Prime Minister Liz Truss, could be looking at scrapping ratios completely.

Speaking to CYP Now, shadow minister for children and early years and MP for Lambeth, Helen Hayes, said that Labour shares concerns raised by the sector.

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