NURSERY PROVISION FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

Early day motion 2254, tabled 24 May 2006 by John McDonnell (Labour). Signed by 46 members.

That this House welcomes the Cabinet Office good practice guidance on implementing workplace childcare provision; fears that Government departments may not be using this guidance effectively to ensure working parents have the opportunity to take advantage of workplace childcare provision; is concerned about recent announcements by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office in Croydon, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the Home Office and the Department for Work and Pensions in Bootle and the Department for Education and Skills in Darlington that they are to close or withdraw subsidies from their high performing workplace nurseries; believes that all departments should be investing rather than reducing resources to maintain workplace childcare provision and that the Cabinet Office should ensure implementation of its good practice guidance; further believes that workplace childcare provision is crucial to retain skilled staff and is important for both parents and children; and therefore calls on the Government to press for retention of workplace childcare provision in these departments and for tougher penalties for departments who ignore the guidance.

Signatures by party: Labour 31, Liberal Democrat 9, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Respect 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.