CBI responds to Labour plans for 3,000 school-based nurseries

Louise Hellem, CBI Chief Economist, said:

"Labour and skills shortages remain some of the biggest challenges facing businesses, and removing barriers to the labour market has to be a priority for any party with ambitions to grow the economy.

"Businesses recognise that childcare costs continue to prevent many parents, especially women, from rejoining the workforce or taking on more hours, causing them to lose out on valuable talent. It's the reason the CBI has long campaigned for fundamental reform of the childcare system. That's why many firms will be encouraged to hear Labour's plans to expand places.

"A political consensus on the importance of childcare is welcome and needs to be matched with a plan for increasing the childcare workforce."