The government has responded to a petition lobbying for increased funding for early years settings. The petition has received more than 10,000 signatures since it was launched last November.
It calls for an increase in funding for early years settings to ensure they can continue to operate.
In its response, the DfE recognised that the sector was ‘facing economic challenges’. However, it said that additional funding of £160 million in 2022-23, £180 million in 2023-24 and £170 million in 2024-25 had already been announced. The DfE announced this funding in December, a month after the petition was started.
