During a debate with MPs last week, Ms Ford said that the extra £44m in early years funding announced at the spending review ‘will pay for a rate increase that is higher than the cost that nurseries may face from the uplift to the national living wage in April’.
However, a recent parliamentary question response from Ms Ford states that the Department for Education do not have data on the proportion of the early years workforce who are aged 23 and 24.
The increase in the national living wage, announced by the chancellor in last month's spending review, comes into effect next April, and was accompanied by an extension of the wage to all workers aged 23 and over.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here