You are here: News Response to Labour's 'breaking down the barriers to opportunity' speech

6th July 2023
By Emma Goddard

In response to Sir Keir Starmer's speech today, Megan Jarvie, Head of Coram Family and Childcare, said:

A well designed and functioning childcare system can be a key tool in tackling this disadvantage and narrowing the gap that opens up before children even start school. We have set out how the childcare system can be redesigned to better serve the children who stand to benefit the most.

If implemented with investment in the early years workforce, Labour's plans to improve the quality of early education and childcare and improve outcomes for children in the crucial early years are a welcome first step in rebalancing childcare policy.

But there are significant challenges that need to be addressed to achieving this aspiration, including providing the right level of funding and meeting workforce shortages. We look forward to seeing the detailed plans needed to achieve the huge potential of childcare to change families' lives.

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For more information, please contact Emma Lamberton, Communications Manager, Coram at emma.lamberton@coram.org.uk / 0207 520 0427 / 07908 827908. For our proposal for a redesigned childcare system, see our report 'Tackling disadvantage through childcare': https://www.familyandchildcaretrust.org/tackling-disadvantage-through-childcare

About Coram Family and Childcare

Coram Family and Childcare works to make the UK a better place for families by bringing together what we learn from our on the ground parent-led programmes and our research to campaign for solutions that parents want and need. We focus on childcare and early years to make a difference to families’ lives now and in the long term.

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