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by Jess Gibson

The Labour party have won the 2024 UK general election with a current total of 412 seats and a majority of 174, in what many are calling a ‘landslide victory’. 

Meanwhile, with two seats still left to declare, the Conservative Party – who lost 250 seats – now have 121 seats, the Liberal Democrats have 71 seats, and the Greens have four MPs, up from one. 

But what did the Labour party say they would prioritise in the early years sector if their election campaign was successful?

Labour announced back in June that it will create 100,000 additional early education and childcare places for children from nine months old through 3,334 new nurseries, as part of its plan to meet demand in under-served areas. This would be funded by a VAT levied on private schools.

The party also stated its commitment to continuing the rollout of the early entitlement expansion, the first phase of which began in April under a Conservative government.

Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the ��������, said:

“There is no doubt that Labour is entering government at a crucial and challenging time for England's early years sector.  

“Nurseries, pre-schools and childminders are less than two months away from the next phase of the early entitlement expansion, at a time when the sector continues to deal with the consequences of a severe staffing crisis and sustained underfunding. As such, clear and decisive action to address the multitude of challenges facing the early years has never been more urgently needed. 

“And while Labour’s manifesto includes a commitment to increase primary school-based nurseries, we at the �������� are absolutely clear that this must form part of much wider plans to support the sector and safeguard its future, underpinned by increased early years funding and a comprehensive workforce strategy. 

“We welcome today’s election result as an important opportunity for a fresh start, and look forward to working closely with the new government to support the meaningful action needed to ensure that our vital sector is able not just to survive, but to thrive.”