Nursery World - Councils 'lack cash to ensure sufficient care'

Local authorities could lack sufficient funds to implement the new duties imposed on them in the Childcare Bill, Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs have warned. The Bill had general cross-party support during its second reading in the House of Commons last week, but opposition parties raised concerns that local authorities would lack the money to provide sufficient childcare to meet the needs of working parents.

The Bill had general cross-party support during its second reading in the House of Commons last week, but opposition parties raised concerns that local authorities would lack the money to provide sufficient childcare to meet the needs of working parents.

Theresa May, shadow secretary of state for the family, said, 'Once again we see the Government giving local authorities another job without giving them the resources to do it. Simply shifting the problem to local authorities without providing additional money will do little to solve the problem.'

Ms May also raised concerns over partnership working and said the Bill 'could mean closures for many nurseries'.

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