"When privatization creeps into childcare, make sure standards aren't sacrificed"

In a recent poll, 96% of parents said they would vote for the party with the best childcare deal, and that's not no surprise: a quarter of parents reduce necessities to pay for them

A quarter of parents reduce the need to pay for childcare. (

Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Finally, childcare is getting the attention it deserves, with the budget putting the issue at the top of the agenda.

The conservative offer - not ideal and with a long lead time - is at least a step in the right direction.

Labour's response was unclear. They previously promised a transformative approach, but we haven't seen the details yet.

This will be a key battle in the upcoming elections.

Just look at the stats. In a recent poll, 96% of parents said they would vote for the party with the best childcare deal.

And it's no surprise why.

A quarter of parents reduce the expenses necessary to pay for childcare.

And nearly 500,000 mothers quit their jobs because childcare is too expensive.

In the meantime, costs are rising.

Two-thirds pay more for childcare than for rent or mortgage

A couple earning an average stay-at-home salary spends 29% of their income on childcare, the second-highest figure in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

He needs to change urgently.

Today we reveal some of the big cats behind the UK childcare industry and how the exorbitant prices being charged to parents help fund their lavish lifestyles.

It's not a big surprise. The impetus behind the private sector is profit, of course.

But when privatization creeps into areas like childcare, health and social care, we need to make sure that standards are not sacrificed for money.

Some of the reports we present to you today are shocking. Several failures in the sector.

The system needs reform and I hope that is what Labor will deliver. This is vital for parents, children and the UK at large.

It's time to face

Ricky Haruna was a former cop of the year. A highly commended 17-year-old veteran, formerly assigned to guard Kate Middleton.

So when she talks about the terrifying scale of the problems at the Met, we should all listen.

She describes terrifying misogyny, an intimidating canteen culture, and warns that there's another monster like Wayne Couzens lurking there.

For too long, the force has ignored examples of low-level bad behavior by many officers.

To reform, he must take it seriously and eradicate them as soon as they appear.

Couzens issued several warning signs that were either ignored or swept under the rug.

This must not happen again.

Killjoys of Kilroy

I'm A Celebrity has unveiled its all-star line-up for the Jungle.

We can't wait. But only one thing is missing.

Kilroy. Surely the highlight of the show's story was seeing him eat bugs every week and get stuff poured all over the place.

Please, ITV, think again. Bring Kilroy back. We will even contribute for the ticket.