Childcare
Childish childcare bickering continues
Last winter, the surest way to get a Lib Dem to ring you back was to mention the words ‘boundary changes’. Better still to write a piece criticising the party’s… Continue reading
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Please, stop trying to solve the Women’s Vote problem by banging on about childcare
Flicking through my diary this morning, I came across something I’d scrawled as ‘All the Tory ladies’ without further explanation. It turned out to be one of those drinks events… Continue reading
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The Tories failed to make the case for relaxing childcare ratios: no wonder the policy bombed
Two ministers appeared in the Commons today to explain two different reforms. One is at the very start of its legislative life, appearing in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech, while the other… Continue reading
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An Antediluvian Tory Press Causes Problems for David Cameron
Today’s papers make dreadful reading for anyone with an interest in modern, reformed conservatism. They are a reminder – if it were needed – that the Tory press is estranged… Continue reading
19 Comments Liz Truss: the minister fighting the ‘Where have all the women gone?’ debates
The government’s childcare announcement, fronted by the formidable Liz Truss, is another attempt to appeal to working mothers and to spread privilege by removing some of the barriers for women… Continue reading
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Coalition negotiations on childcare tax break near conclusion
Jo Swinson’s speech to the Lib Dem spring conference highlighted her again as a confident performer who has higher to rise in the party. I was at a fringe session… Continue reading
3 Comments Truss’ truncated childcare announcement highlights mid-term review weaknesses
Controversial though her proposals to relax quotas for childminders and nursery staff may be, no-one disagrees with Liz Truss’ central mission to reduce the cost of childcare. The opposition know… Continue reading
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Cameron readies childcare package
David Cameron and Nick Clegg will launch the coalition’s mid-term review tomorrow. There will be some announcements in it. But I understand that some of the most interesting, new coalition… Continue reading
28 Comments
What will the coalition do next?
We are now closer to the 2015 election than the 2010 one. We also expected by now to have the coalition’s mid-term review, the document that will set out its… Continue reading
35 Comments The childcare battleground
The coalition wants to remove blockages to people returning to work, and one of the most complex problems is the cost of childcare. The Observer covers a report due out… Continue reading
20 CommentsChildcare costs could be election battleground
Parents of children under two now pay on average over £5000 a year on childcare, with costs increasing much faster than either earnings or inflation. In response, both the government… Continue reading
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Cameron offers parenting advice
The Prime Minister will be jetting off to Camp David today for the G8 summit — and his first meeting with new French President Francois Hollande. But before going, he’s… Continue reading
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One for the Tories’ manifesto in 2015
David Cameron’s comments today that he finds a Swedish-scheme that offers tax breaks for employing domestic workers ‘very interesting’ and would ‘want to look at further’ are, predictably, being attacked… Continue reading
28 CommentsTories dodge a bullet on childcare
In the past year the government has proven good at cauterising self-inflicted wounds. This morning’s announcement from Iain Duncan Smith on childcare stems another potential bleeder. His department have found an… Continue reading
6 CommentsSacking the nanny
Theresa May has halted the national database of adults who come into contact with children. The innocent and law abiding majority can now volunteer without having to complete an extensive… Continue reading
10 CommentsFor all his faults, Gradgrind was right
The next time your four year old nephew smears chocolate over your trousers you are to congratulate him. According to government guidance, soon to be issued to nurseries by Dawn… Continue reading
24 CommentsOne in five children live in jobless households
The Guardian reports this morning that, “One in five – two million – British children now live in households where neither parent has a job.” This is an incredibly worrying… Continue reading
15 CommentsThe government’s latest ‘child protection’ idea is positively harmful
Alsadair Palmer neatly sums up the absurdity of the government’s new child protection plans in the Telegraph: “Once it receives your application, the ISA will invite people to submit information… Continue reading
54 CommentsThe government needs to get a grip on its CRB craziness
That the news that the government wants everyone who gives children a lift anywhere to be CRB checked broke on the same day that it emerged that Haringey council had… Continue reading
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