Labour pledges 100,000 new childcare places

Gender equality charity the Fawcett Society welcomed Labour’s plan, and said it was “about time childcare became an election priority”.

“We need to see childcare given the prominence it deserves in every party’s manifesto and we need to see genuine, long-term commitments that last beyond this election,” the charity added.

The charity said 85% of mothers struggle to find childcare that fits around their jobs, leading many to stop working.

Sarah Ronan, director of the Early Education and Childcare Coalition, said: “Labour’s commitment to increasing the number of places is the right one, however if you boost places you have to also boost staff numbers, so underpinning its plan for reform must be a new workforce strategy that will attract more people into the sector and see early years professionals receive the pay, conditions and respect they deserve.”

The charity Pregnant Then Screwed welcomed the “first stage plan” to reform the sector.

“There is little point in reducing the cost of childcare for parents if they cannot access a place, and with long waiting lists, and childcare deserts across England, it is imperative we do not continue to paper over the cracks,” its founder, Joeli Brearley, said.

A spokesperson from the Liberal Democrats told BBC News that “flexible, affordable childcare is critical for giving parents more choice over how to organise their lives, helping them return to work if they want to, and tackling the gender pay gap”.

“But affordable childcare is only part of the picture”, they added.

The spokesperson said that the Liberal Democrats will also set out plans to “transform” parental leave.

The BBC has approached the Conservative Party for comment.