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Rishi Sunak faces scrutiny over wife's involvement in childminding agency

Labour has held the PM to account on plans to give new childminders joining agencies more money than those who register independently, after it was revealed Akshata Murty holds shares in a childminding agency.
Labour MP Catherine McKinnell has called into question the differences in start-up childminder grants, SCREENGRAB: Twiiter
Labour MP Catherine McKinnell has called into question the differences in start-up childminder grants, SCREENGRAB: Twiiter

The Prime Minister and his wife Akshata Murty are currently facing scrutiny over her financial interest in Koru Kids, one of six childminding agencies currently operating.

According to reports, it is understood Rishi Sunak has declared the interest with the Cabinet Office. It is now up to the Prime Minister’s independent ethics adviser and the Cabinet Office’s Proprietary and Ethics Team to 'decide if there are any conflict of interests', said a source.

The Commons guide to procedure states that MPs are expected to declare any interests, including of their family members, if they are deemed relevant.

Delivering his Budget earlier in the month, the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt announced that the Government would introduce a start-up grant of £600 for new childminders who register independently with Ofsted and £1,200 for those who register with childminder agencies.

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