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Written question asked by Lord True (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 July 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 July 2015. It was answered by Lord Nash (Conservative) on Wednesday, 22 July 2015 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Childcare

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for each financial year from 2015–16 to 2020—21, what are the estimated annual costs of providing (1) free childcare for two year-olds, (2) 15 hours of free childcare per week for three and four year-olds, and (3) 30 hours of free childcare per week for three and four year-olds of working parents.

Answer

Allocations made to local authorities for 15 hours of free childcare per week for three- and four- year-olds totalled £2.2 billion in 2015-16. Allocations in 2015-16 for 15 hours of free childcare per week for disadvantaged two year-olds will be announced shortly.

The government is committed to raise the average hourly rate providers receive from the introduction of the new entitlement from 2017-18. The government is undertaking a review of childcare costs in order to set a new average hourly rate that is fair for providers and delivers value for money for the taxpayer.

Until this review is complete, it is not possible to estimate annual costs of providing free childcare for two year-olds, or 15 hours of free childcare per week for three-and four-year-olds after 2016.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1428
Session
2015-16
Subjects
Childcare Costs
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk