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Labour confirms backing for full childcare and early education expansion plan

by Jess Gibson

Shadow education minister Bridget Phillipson has confirmed that Labour will back the current government's early education and childcare expansion if it wins the next general election. She has also said that Labour will not remove any entitlements promised to families "in the future".

From 1 April, working parents with two-year-olds are eligible for 15 hours of free childcare and that will be extended to nine months from September this year.

There are three phases of expansion, with the first having just begun and the final one coming in September 2025.

In previous comments, Labour has said the expansion "would not be reduced" if the party takes power, with a general election widely expected to take place in 2024.