Rishi Sunak 'puts aside Liz Truss' gratuitous childcare reforms'

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Rishi Sunak reportedly indefinitely postponed Liz Truss' plan to reform the childcare system to increase the amount of free.

The former Prime Minister - ousted after just six weeks at No 10 - is said to have considered increasing free childcare by 20 hours a week, as well as relaxing limits on staff-to-child ratios.

Mr. Sunak is "putting aside" Ms Truss' plans, with the scale of reforms now expected to be less ambitious, according to the Daily Telegraph - raising concerns among some leading Tories.

Tory MP Steve Brine, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Child Care Group, has urged the government to press ahead with reform - something the Truss government promised before Christmas.

< p>“There is a major structural problem with childcare in England in both state and state-run settings, particularly those run by individuals and companies,” he told the newspaper.

"There should be a review of long-term child care funding. Cost pressures for child care providers are forcing many to close their businesses." doors,” the senior MP said.

Mr Brine added: “Our message to ministers is to talk to each other and talk to the sector. It is not too late to pursue the reforms, but the situation is serious.

The Truss government is believed to have considered overturning the system of childcare subsidies, under which parents, rather than nurseries, would be entrusted with government money to spend as they please.

As things stand, all three and four year olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare a week during school terms, while some families may claim up to 30 hours. hours.

One idea reportedly considered by the Truss administration was to increase the number of hours of free child care from 30 hours per week to 50 hours.

In a sign of frustration with the Tories that plans will be put on hold, a member of Ms Truss's former team told the Telegraph that pursuing childcare reform could 'detoxify the brand conservative.”

“Child care could be a real winner for us in the next election, especially in seats where we are fighting the Lib Dems,” they said. “Liz wanted to make child care reform a central part of his election bid; Rishi would be foolish not to do the same."

Ms Truss also reportedly wanted...