Nursery World - This Bill needs more work

By Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for children and families The Government is to be congratulated on the progress that has been made in the provision of childcare since 1997 and, overall, the new Childcare Bill is to be welcomed. However, as always the devil is in the detail. Despite having spent nine sessions in scrutinising the Bill in committee, for me there remain many unanswered questions. For example, will local authorities have adequate resources to meet the Bill's requirements? Without sufficient funding, what true progress will be made?

The Government is to be congratulated on the progress that has been made in the provision of childcare since 1997 and, overall, the new Childcare Bill is to be welcomed. However, as always the devil is in the detail. Despite having spent nine sessions in scrutinising the Bill in committee, for me there remain many unanswered questions. For example, will local authorities have adequate resources to meet the Bill's requirements? Without sufficient funding, what true progress will be made?

The proposed duties on local authorities only apply to working parents or those undertaking training or education that will assist in obtaining work.

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