Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Childcare and Children, commenting on news from the IPPR that the economy could benefit from a £1.5 billion annual boost for getting mothers back to work, said:

“This major report provides further evidence that Labour’s plan to invest in childcare is a key step to growing our economy.

“Families facing David Cameron’s childcare crunch are seeing nursery prices rise five times faster than wages whilst early years places fall and Ministers cut the support parents receive to help pay for childcare.

“Labour’s promise to extend free childcare for three and four-year-olds with parents in work from 15 hours to 25 hours will make a real difference to family finances and the public finances, boosting employment and tax revenue and helping close the employment gap for mothers.”