The Tories’ childcare plans aren’t grounded in reality

Of all the reasons why the Conservatives deserve to lose the next general election, their nonsensical childcare policy is among the most convincing. Labour had needlessly meddled in this sector, with little positive effect on affordability, accessibility, or maternal employment. The Tories could have taken on the vested interests and trades unions, scaled back the state’s involvement, and created a competitive environment with lower costs and greater parental choice. 

Instead, on assuming power in 2010, they introduced 15 free hours for all 3-and-4 year-olds in England and maintained strict regulatory requirements, including cumbersome record-keeping and mandatory targets. By 2023, government spending on childcare and pre-school had swollen to around £6 billion. And what did they have to show for it? Parents were facing high out-of-pocket costs; maternal labour force participation did increase, though no faster than female unemployment generally; hundreds of nurseries were closing each year; and many low-cost alternatives, such as childminders, had been squeezed out of the sector.