Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will discuss with cabinet colleagues the introduction of a universal childcare offer to enable all children to access care provision.

The department remains committed to improving the cost, choice, and availability of childcare, and the government has spent more than £20 billion over the past five years to support families with the cost of childcare.

All parents are eligible for the universal 15 hours of free early education, which is available to all three and four-year olds, regardless of family circumstances.

Working parents of three and four-year-olds may also be eligible for an additional 15 hours of free childcare if they earn the equivalent of 16 hours a week at national minimum or living wage, and under £100,000 per year.

Parents who meet the income criteria may also be able to receive support from Tax-Free Childcare, which can be worth up to £2,000 per year for children aged 0-11, or up to £4,000 per year for disabled children aged 0-16.

Further information on the childcare offers available to parents can be accessed here: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.