David Chadwick Raises Concerns that Welsh Families Left Behind in Vital Childcare Support

This week in Parliament, the Liberal Democrats criticised the Welsh Labour Government in Cardiff Bay for their poor childcare offer. Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, David Chadwick, accused the Welsh Government of leaving Welsh families extremely disadvantaged compared to those over the border.

This week, UK Government Minister for Minister for Early Education Stephen Morgan announced yet another expansion of childcare support in England. The expansion means that in England families receive support for 30 hours of funded childcare for all children between 9 months – 4 years old.

In contrast, in Wales, support is only currently available for only 12.5 hours a week for 2-3-year-olds, 30 hours a week for 3–4-year-olds and no support for children under two. This means Wales has the least generous childcare offer in Britain, despite having some of the lowest wages and extremely high child poverty rates.

The Minister refused to be drawn on whether he thinks his colleagues in Cardiff Bay should match the offer being made in England.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have long called for the Welsh Labour Government to expand childcare support, calling for 30 hours of free childcare to be rolled out for all children between 9 months and four years. The party argues this would not just help tackle the cost-of-living crisis and child poverty, but also boost the economy by allowing more women to return to work and freeing up family incomes to be spent in the wider economy.

The Welsh Lib Dems have already claimed some success in this area, with Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS securing an additional £30 million in budget negotiations with the Welsh Government to extend the Flying Start programme and have argued they could make greater changes with more Lib Dem Senedd Members elected next year.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick said:

“It is disappointing that the Welsh Labour Government has failed to match the 30 government-funded hours which has been implemented within England.

“This would have had a significant impact on families and children in Wales, especially given that wages in Wales are low and child poverty rates are so high.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue to highlight the failures by the Welsh Labour Government and to fight for better funding to support families and children across Wales.”

ENDS