Nursery World - Childcare spending 'should be doubled'

The Government should double spending on childcare to 1 per cent of GDP by 2010, the children's charity 4Children said on Monday. Celebrating five years since it set up the Childcare Commission, the charity held a seminar in Westminster to launch a report, Realising the Childcare Revolution, examining the gains made for children and families since 2000 and setting out what needs to be done by 2010.

Celebrating five years since it set up the Childcare Commission, the charity held a seminar in Westminster to launch a report, Realising the Childcare Revolution, examining the gains made for children and families since 2000 and setting out what needs to be done by 2010.

The report also calls for the creation of a new Government ministerial post of Secretary of State for Children and Families, with Cabinet level responsibility to make early years and childcare a long-term priority.

Seminar speakers included former chair of the Childcare Commission Harriet Harman MP, chief executive of 4Children Anne Longfield and children's minister Beverley Hughes.

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