Nursery World - Shadow minister calls for explanation as to why early years excluded from Government catch-up plan

Shadow early years minister Tulip Siddiq has written to the children and families minister Vicky Ford, calling for an explanation as to why the early years sector has been excluded from the Government’s £1 billion ‘catch-up’ funding.

Tulip Siddiq, Labour's shadow children and early years minister

In the letter Ms Siddiq asks why ‘two directly contradictory press releases about this plan were sent out embargoed yesterday, with the first stating that early years providers would be included in the plan and the subsequent “correction” stating that they wouldn’t.’

‘Can you confirm whether or not this funding for early years was withdrawn at the last minute, and explain why you have decided to exclude early years from these "catch-up" plans? You will be aware that early years staff have been working incredibly hard to support children who have been missing out on the early education they provide during lockdown, and they deserve an explanation for why the Government feels that they do not deserve the same financial support for this as schools.’

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