The Government is criticised for wasting money on unsustainable childcare places

6.00.00pm GMT Fri 27th Feb 2004

Responding to the conclusions in the NAO report on the wastage of millions of pounds of the Government's childcare provision initiative, Annette Brooke MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children said:

"The government has tackled the long standing problem of inadequate childcare provision in this country where we were lagging very far behind other European countries.

"Unfortunately, with its centralist approach, it set targets from the centre and clearly put too much pressure on provision, such that that money has been wasted in some unsustainable childcare initiatives.

"This situation clearly needs reviewing immediately. There should be much closer working with local authorities to achieve sustainable targets.

"However, in spite of this, I think that we should recognise that there has been a very large increase in good quality childcare provision. But, when money is scarce, resources must be used efficiently."