During a House of Lords debate on the Bill yesterday, peers voted 222 - 209 in favour of the amendment, which requires Government to carry out an independent review of funding and find a 'comprehensive and sustainable' funding solution, before the introduction of the 30 hours.
The amendment, tabled by Labour peer Baroness Jones of Whitchurch last month, states that the independent review must include a large-scale analysis of the cost of delivering the places.
The 30 hours of free childcare for three and four-year-olds from working families is due to start from September 2016.
Speaking during yesterday's debate, Baroness Jones said, ‘My Lords, we have repeatedly said that we support the concept of extending free childcare. But we want a policy that will not just grab the headlines; we want a policy that will work. Sadly, this is where we and the Government part company.’
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