Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what dates (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department held discussions with representatives from (i) childcare, (ii) afterschool clubs and (iii) childminding providers on the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on their industry.

The department regularly meets a range of stakeholders, which includes discussion of the impacts of COVID-19 on businesses, including the childcare sector.

Since 1 June, early years settings have been able to welcome back children of all ages. All providers of wraparound childcare, and other out-of-school settings, are able to operate for both indoor and outdoor provision, provided they have safety measures in place.

The Government has announced unprecedented support for businesses, including the early years sector, to protect against the current economic emergency. For childcare providers, this includes business rates relief for nurseries, a range of loans and grants, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and continued early years entitlement funding.