Hunt’s free childcare pledge ‘doomed to fail’ as thousands of nurseries close

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thousands of nurseries have shut their doors amid a staffing crisis, leaving Jeremy Hunt’s flagship Budget pledge to expand free childcare for British families “doomed to failure”, The Independent has been told. The Independent can also reveal: The number of nurseries and early years services for under fives has plummeted from 84,970 in 2015/2016 to 63,207 in 2022/2023 Almost 100,000 extra workers are needed to fulfil Mr Hunt’s pledge, according to research by The University of Leeds and the Early Education and Childcare Coalition 180,000 additional places will be needed by the end of 2025 for the rollout to work This week, the government announced £400m of extra funding for childcare places but providers remain concerned about the lack of trained staff to fill the roles. Helen Hayes, Labour’s shadow children and early years minister, said: “Childcare providers have been pushed to breaking point under the Conservatives, stuck with soaring costs and struggling to recruit the skilled staff they need.” open image in gallery Research by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development has previously found the UK had one of the most expensive childcare systems in the world. Families are having to downsize to pay the bills, move house to find nurseries with availability or commute for hours to make it all work.” Ellen Broome, of Coram Family and Childcare, said the government’s plan to expand free childcare hours would only increase the pressure on an already stretched sector, “with the potential for disadvantaged children being hit the hardest”.