Sector sets out its priorities for new PM Rishi Sunak

Early years organisations have called for the new Prime Minister to scrap controversial plans to deregulate childcare, and relax staff to child ratios in early years settings.

Sunak was elected by MPs as leader of the Conservative Party yesterday, and has now become the UK’s first Prime Minister of colour and the first Hindu prime minister.

Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said, ‘As Mr Sunak prepares for the many challenges awaiting him as Prime Minister, it’s absolutely vital that tackling the ongoing early years crisis in this country is made a top priority.

‘Quality early education and childcare is fundamental to any functioning society, and particularly at a time of economic crisis: our vital sector not only supports children to get the best possible start in life, but also ensures that parents across the country are able to work and contribute to our national economy.

‘However, years of neglect and, more specifically, underfunding have left us in an untenable situation where costs are continuing to spiral for parents while talented education professionals, sick of being overworked and underpaid, are abandoning the sector in their droves.