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The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment following the publication of the Centre for Progressive Policy's report-, which found that a "lack of afforfable, accessible childcare is costing the economy billions in lost earnings and holding back much-needed labour supply."

Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said: 

“The fact that the Centre for Progressive Policy’s research shows that the high cost of early education and childcare is holding back the economy comes as little surprise.  

“The early years is a sector which, year after year, has suffered from severe underfunding and continually falls to the bottom of the government’s priority list. �°������ϲʹ������� across the country are doing their best to provide accessible, high-quality and affordable care and education – but the fact is that current levels of sector funding don’t go anywhere near far enough. As a result, settings are left with no choice but to increase fees just to stay afloat.  

“It is little wonder, therefore, that so many parents, and particularly mothers, are being priced out of the workforce – and with cost pressures on nurseries, pre-school and childminding settings continuing to rise, the situation is only going to get worse, unless ministers take urgent action. 

"Investment in the early years is an investment in the economy. The sooner the government recognises this, the better it will be for the providers, families and society as a whole.”