Clause 190

Part of Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 10:30 pm on 26 March 2009.

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Photo of Maria Miller Maria Miller Shadow Minister (Children, Young People and Families) 10:30, 26 March 2009

No, that is not what I am saying. The two issues are linked, but not entirely mutually inclusive. Other issues concerning increased flexibility cause far more of a problem for some providers than others. I am not saying that we would delay the roll out, but if the hon. Gentleman were to read some of the parliamentary questions that I have asked on that point, he would be aware that the Government are less than sure how to finance it. Some of the more ambitious statements made at the Labour party conference last year by the Prime Minister may not necessarily be achievable in a reasonable time frame.

Temporarily suspending the 2006 code of practice, which forbids parents to be charged, would help by recognising the extreme pressure that some nurseries are under. As I said earlier, we could bury our heads in the sand, or we could face up to the reality of helping those people. After all, those nurseries provide the lion’s share of the nursery places that the Government have relied upon to deliver their free entitlement. Suspending the code of practice will allow us to help keep them in business in these difficult times. The amendment would give private nurseries breathing space to ensure that they can deliver the free hours and the stable child care that parents and children need and deserve. The code of practice could come into force once a single funding formula has been adopted by all local authorities.