Alliance criticises lack of reference to early years sector in Spring Statement

Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said:

“It is both disappointing and incredibly frustrating that the early years sector has been ignored yet again in today's Spring Statement.  

“Given the wealth of research showing that a strong early years sector is key to economic growth, you would have thought that today offered an ideal opportunity for government to commit to investing what's needed in the sector as part of a wider growth strategy. 

“Instead, we are facing a situation where, despite being majority-government funded, private and voluntary settings are being forced to absorb upcoming national insurance increases – alongside minimum wage rises – with no support from the Treasury. As a result, many settings have been left with no choice but to substantially increase parent fees, or risk permanent closure. 

“If the government is truly serious about both growing the economy and ensuring that every child gets the best start in life, surely it has no choice but to invest in the sector that can help it do both. The sooner the government's actions on the early years start matching its rhetoric, the better for everyone.”