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By Rachel Lawler

 

A calling for early years funding to increase in line with the National Living and National Minimum Wage has gathered more than 10,000 signatures on the government’s website.

 

Created by Alliance member Shaza Haq, manager at Little Hands Montessori, the petition states: “The National Minimum Wage will increase again in April, therefore the government needs to increase the childcare funding rates in line with these for settings to survive.”

 

The National Living Wage is set to increase from £7.83 to £8.21 in April 2019. This is the minimum rate that must be paid to all workers aged 25 and over.

 

The National Minimum Wage, which is the minimum rate for workers aged under 25, is also increasing, as well as the minimum hourly rate for apprentices.

 

Last year, the government confirmed , showing that most local authority rates will stay the same as in 2018/2019.

 

Haq told Under 5: “The minimum wage going up means that our costs go up – this makes it really difficult for settings and it seems to happen every year. The government needs to realise that it’s going to affect early years settings.”

 

Now that the petition has been signed more than 10,000 times, the government will need to issue a response. If it gathers more than 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for a debate in parliament.