Childcare Bill

I support the ethos of Amendments Nos. 14 and 30. We will listen to the Minister’s response as regards where we will go from there. I wish to ask a question for the record—I believe that I have informally been given the answer—about children who might be at risk, vulnerable or in need on the various local authority registers. My concern is that, in ensuring that there is sufficient childcare provision for people to remain at work or to take education and training, local authorities’ targets and priorities might be changed. It is crucial that the paramount priority should be for children who are at risk to be given childcare. I seek reassurance on the record on that point.