Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Childcare and Children, commenting on the Department for Education Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents: 2012 to 2013, said

“These figures underline the strain that David Cameron’s childcare crunch is having on family life. We’ve a cost-of-living crisis with families struggling with soaring childcare costs - up 30 per cent under the Tories – and a squeeze on places, meanwhile there are hundreds of fewer Sure Start Centres thanks to David Cameron. Labour would extend free early education for three and four year olds with parents in work from 15 to 25 hours, worth £1500 per child. We would also tackle availability of before and after school childcare by introducing a primary childcare guarantee to help parents.”