The education secretary Gillian Keegan has said that an extra 40,000 staff will be needed to deliver the full rollout of the expanded 30 hours
Keegan made the admission on Tuesday as the first phase of the expanded offer, 15 hours for two-year-olds, came in, and as parents challenged the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, over claims of a shortfall of staff and places for children, which the sector has warned of since the policy was first announced.
The Prime Minister has continued to argue that the ‘flagship’ policy is ‘on track’ however, while Keegan dismissed problems as ‘teething troubles’ and said she was ‘very confident’ about the first phase of the scheme.
Labour has said it will not commit to the full rollout of the offer if it is elected, but will continue with existing funded hours.
