Phillipson is making a lot this morning of Labour opening “the first 300 of the new school-based nurseries we promised” in September. Cue heartwarming video of Bridget at play in one…
Guido did a bit of sandpit maths here. The DfE is opening up £15 million for schools to fund 300 new or expanded nurseries across England. Post-budget research from The Early Years Alliance surveyed 1,000 “settings” on cost pressures, especially resulting from Reeves’ NICs hike. Budget changes were found to result in extra costs “averaging over £18,600 per setting, per year.” 95% said they were increasing fees and 40% of nurseries said they would were “likely to close their entire setting permanently.“ Quick maths: 40% of 1,000…
So 100 more nurseries are closing from Labour’s policies than are opening this year. Will anyone think of the children…
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”