Written questions

Childcare: Lone Parents

Lords · Question HL13650 · Tabled 16 Jan 2026 · Department for Education · Official record

Answered 30 Jan 2026

Question

Asked by Lord Bird

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current arrangements for funded early years childcare; whether they regard the level of that funding to be sufficient to ensure an affordable and sustainable supply of places for single

Answer

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern, 30 Jan 2026

In 2026/27, we expect to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements, more than doubling annual public investment in the early years sector compared to 2023-24, as we have successfully rolled out the expansion of government-funded childcare...