Labour rules out universal childcare for young children in fiscal credibility drive

[Childcare47]

Labour rules out universal childcare for young children in fiscal credibility drive

Labour has ruled out offering universal free childcare for children over nine months old but is considering a means-tested offer, sources have told the Guardian, as the party strives to prove its fiscal credibility.

But shadow ministers are exploring options that backbenchers warn will fall short of that ambition. Instead of offering free or very cheap childcare to every family with a child over nine months old, Labour is looking at giving more support for poorer families, while tapering it off for those on higher incomes.

Isn't there a shortage of nursery staff?

Is it childcare for those in work?

I think this is sensible. Childcare needs to be subsidised honestly rather than pretending to offer free hours that are usually anything but free.

Historically labour has always tailored its benefits to poorer people/families and using richer people to fund this. so i dont know why anyone might be surprised.

Excellent! This a much better idea rather than forcing underpaid childcarers to work for a pittance so that rich people can keep their careers going and salaries for bigger houses.

It's just going to be the squeezed middle taking the hit again

Middle class and rich people are leaving in droves so let’s see who is paying for this.

katycuckoo - i wonder if nurses/doctors and junior managers consider themselves rich though? they will have to fund this too as there wont be enough cash that labour can extract from multi millionaires

What pisses me off are the families that don't work, getting free childcare so they can sit at home watching daytime Tv and chilling. , when I only can afford it for when I work.