Tulip Siddiq MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Children and Early Years, commenting on a survey by the Early Years Alliance showing that a quarter of childcare providers could close within a year due to the impact coronavirus, said:

“The childcare sector is on the brink of collapse. This survey is further evidence that the Government’s lack of support is forcing nurseries and other providers to close and sack staff.

“Losing a quarter of our childcare providers in this crisis would have a devastating impact on working families. Ministers need to wake up to the reality that many vital early years providers will be lost forever unless they step in to save our childcare.”