Education secretary to order review of hidden childcare costs
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is requesting a review of hidden childcare costs by the Competition and Markets Authority. Concerns have been raised that additional charges for meals and deposits may hinder access to free childcare for families. The government aims to address these issues amid rising living costs and recent electoral challenges.
- ▪Bridget Phillipson is asking the CMA to investigate hidden childcare costs.
- ▪Parents may face additional charges for meals, snacks, and deposits despite free childcare availability.
- ▪The government is responding to rising living costs and recent electoral setbacks.
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Education secretary to order review of hidden childcare costs6 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleIain Watson,Political correspondentandChris GrahamGetty ImagesEducation Secretary Bridget Phillipson is to ask the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to examine the hidden costs parents may be charged by childcare providers.The Conservative government introduced 30 hours of free childcare for most working parents of three and four-year-olds in England for 38 weeks a year, and Labour extended eligibility to parents of children as young as nine months old.But ministers are concerned that families are still facing costs to secure places – through demands for non-refundable deposits.
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