‘Childcare reforms could push up costs’

Britain™s deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg has warned the government™s childcare reforms he vetoed could push up costs for UK households.

Under the Conservative™s flagship reforms on childcare, nurseries and childminders will be allowed to look after more young children.

Clegg, who angered Tory ministers by blocking the plans, argued the reforms could damage the quality of childcare in the country as well as failing to achieve savings.

This comes as an earlier study by the Department for Education found the changes could slash childcare costs by up to 28 percent.

Clegg, however, told his weekly phone-in programme on LBC Radio that the department™s analysis was wrong and that there was no real evidence the plans would reduce the cost of childcare.

Lib-Dems leader said replies to the consultation from nurseries, parents’ groups and other experts suggested the plans might well drive costs up as the y will œhave to spend more money on more higher-qualified [staff].”

Earlier last month, Clegg sated that the government needs to rethink reducing the staff-to-child ratios, adding that he had been discussing the issue with the Prime Minister David Cameron for œweeks and weeks”.

Shadow Children’s Minister Sharon Hodgson also accused Cameron of lacking a credible plan for providing affordable childcare in the country.

MOS/HE