Childcare Bill

I was just finishing as the bell rang. I assume that the Committee will not wish me to rehearse all the lengthy arguments and points that I was making. In conclusion, the role of local authorities under the Bill will be to facilitate the childcare market so that it meets parents’ needs. They will not be able to fulfil that duty without engaging the private and voluntary sectors in an integral way. The Bill’s provisions seek to strike a balance between giving local authorities the powers and freedoms they need to act in the best interests of their local area while requiring them to support and foster a diverse market that allows maximum choice and flexibility for parents. On that basis, I commend these provisions to the Committee.