Tristram Hunt MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, commenting on the Government’s childcare announcement today, said:

“The Conservative Party was unable to explain how it would fund its childcare offer before the general election. It remains unclear how they propose to fill the funding gaps in their plans now. 

"Education in the early years of a child’s life is so crucial for improving their future prospects. The omission of a government strategy to address educational inequality in the early years exposes a failure of the last government that looks set to continue under this one.

“Ministers seem content to say nothing about improving education standards for all children so that they are school ready.”