Debbie Moliterno, owner of Cheeky Monkeys Day nurseries, started the petition last September on the Government petitions website, which was closed down in December due to the general election.
The website has now re-launched, but all previous petitions have been annulled.
The re-launched petition calls on the Government to make nurseries exempt from business rates to support the childcare sector. Ms Moliterno said that after owning settings for 29 years, she has never experienced such ‘damaging times’ for the sector with rising costs not being met by funding rates.
She goes on to say, ‘Business rates have been a big drain on the sector and can mean the difference between nurseries being able to stay open and having to close.’
The petition re-launch follows a promise from the Treasury minister Jesse Norman that the Government will be reviewing the impact of business rates on childcare providers.
So far, just over 1,300 people have signed the petition.
If the petition receives 10,000 signatures or more, the Government must provide a response, and if it receives 100,000 signatures, a full debate in Parliament must be considered.
To sign the petition, which closes on 5 September 2020, click here.
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Ms Moliterno, who is also a member of the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), said, ‘As we approach the end of each month, I worry if I am going to be able to meet outgoings because of the business rates burden.
‘I love what I do but I’m not sure how much longer I will be able to do it. If nurseries in Scotland and Wales have been made exempt then so should we.
‘I’m not going to stop until this has been applied. It is just ridiculous and something needs to be done fast.’
NDNA’s chief executive Purnima Tanuku added, ‘It’s extremely important that people get behind and push this petition ahead of the budget on 11 March so the Government can have no doubts about the strength of feeling on this issue.
‘It is imperative that the sector raises its collective voice. We have achieved 10,000 signatures before and the more we get, the more powerful we are.
'It is great to see our members get straight off the mark launching this petition, which goes to show how important this issue is for the sector and the impact it is having on the outcomes our members are trying to deliver for children.'
‘At the last election we campaigned for action on business rates and the Government committed to review them and reduce the burden. Now is the time for them to act on this and the Budget is the next chance for them to follow through on this pledge.’
- The petition is available here
