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The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment on the news that the government is set to reduce the level of energy support available to businesses.

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

“It is incredibly concerning to learn that energy support for businesses is set to be significantly scaled back.

“As our recent research has shown, many early years providers are already being forced to pass the rising cost of energy on to parents or in the worst cases, close their doors completely.

“While the continuation of some energy support is better than nothing, the harsh reality is that the level of support announced today is unlikely to do much, if anything, to improve the current situation, especially given that the rising cost of energy is only one of a myriad of challenges affecting early years settings.

“With providers also facing severe staffing shortages, record increases in the national minimum and level wage and wider inflationary pressures, it is clear that urgent action is needed to prevent the collapse of our vital sector.

“As such, it is absolutely vital that the government commits to the investment and financial support needed to safeguard the future of the early years. Ministers have dragged their feet for long enough.”

Commenting on the lack of support for home-based businesses such as childminding professionals, Neil said:

“We know that many childminders are having to take extreme action, such as not heating their own homes in the evenings and weekends to ensure that children attending their settings can remain warm during the week, as the result of soaring energy bills.

“The fact that childminders work out of their homes does not change the fact that they are businesses. As such, it is vital that they are given additional support to ensure they can cope the rising cost of energy. Anything less would be incredibly short-sighted, especially given the government’s current efforts to increase the number of childminding professionals operating in the sector.

“All too often, childminders are left at the bottom of the pile when it comes to government policy. We urge the government to ensure that these vital businesses are able to access the energy support they so desperately need.