Chloe Smith calls on businesses to invest in childcare for Norwich parents

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, is calling on businesses to look at the opportunity of childcare in Norwich, as the Childcare Bill is completed in the Commons.

Chloe has worked in detail on the Childcare Bill Committee, meaning she has been directly involved in shaping the new legislation as it makes its way through Parliament.

She urges businesses to take the opportunity to provide more places in Norwich.  North Norwich sees a shortage of childcare places currently, and this Bill brings an opportunity by doubling the number of hours to be paid for by the taxpayer, for working parents of three and four year olds.

Chloe is also leading local action on this issue by bringing together the county council with its statutory responsibilities, Norwich City College as a workforce training provider, the Chamber of Commerce, major employers, existing providers, the Citizens Advice Bureau and the National Day Nurseries Association, to ask:  how can we encourage greater supply in Norwich?

Chloe calls on existing childcare businesses to consider how they can come forward with more places in Norwich, and on new businesses to see childcare as an investment project in Norfolk.

She highlights the higher funding settlement announced in the Autumn Statement and calls this “a major opportunity” for existing or new childcare businesses in Norwich or who could locate to Norwich.

She has recently addressed the Norfolk Institute of Directors and worked with the Federation of Small Businesses to highlight the issue for families and businesses.

Chloe’s group has met twice and continues to work together to look at action in five key areas in 2016, before the increased number of free hours is in force in 2017.

Chloe says: 

“I’ve spoken to scores of Norwich parents and childcare settings who welcome this Bill, promised and delivered by the Conservatives as an election manifesto pledge.  Childcare is the issue for most working parents.

“Having the right childcare in place gives parents have genuine choice, security, and peace of mind when it comes to being able to support their family.  This Bill helps those parents, by doubling the free hours of childcare they can use, from 15 to 30 per week, and raising the funding level per place.  It paves the way for parents to go into work, for local businesses to grow and for children to benefit from good quality education.

“As the Bill is finished in Parliament, it’s time to think what it means for Norwich.

“I’m leading local action because Norwich already has high demand and short supply.  This is a major opportunity for parents and for Norwich, and we have to grasp it.

“So I call on businesses to consider this as an investment chance.  There is a demand in north Norwich and it’s a golden opportunity to create more support and more jobs.”