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Commenting on today's Summer Statement, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said:

“It is unfathomable that the government has once again failed to commit to any additional financial support for the early years sector.

“With one in four nurseries, pre-schools and childminders fearing closure within the year, rising to one in three in the most disadvantaged areas, it is clear that inaction is not an option - and yet the government continues to ignore the fact that the childcare sector in this country is in crisis.

“The Chancellor today promised that the government would 'protect, support and create jobs', but the fact is that if parents are unable to access childcare because so many early years providers have been forced into closure, this simply won’t be possible.

"With the furlough scheme confirmed as ending in October, the financial pressure on childcare settings is only going to worsen over the coming months. While the new Job Retention Bonus for unfurloughed staff kept on until at least January is a welcome policy, for those providers unsure whether or not they will survive the autumn, it will come as little comfort. 

“The government needs to urgently reconsider this short-sighted approach and commit to providing the financial support that the childcare sector needs not only to survive the immediate challenges caused by the coronavirus crisis, but also to remain sustainable in the longer term.”