Chancellor John Healey delivered his Budget today which promised breathing space for today and fresh hope for the future. Despite promising to support businesses, there were business rates discounts for the high street, but this did not include nurseries. Among the announcements relevant to the early years sector there were: Tim McLachlan, Chief Executive of… Continue reading Budget supports high street businesses but not nurseries
Tag: Budget
Council cuts would force parents to move settled nursery children or pay thousands
Campaigning organisations are urging West Lothian Council to drop its proposal to save money by no longer funding early learning and childcare (ELC) places for families who live outside the borders of West Lothian in private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) nurseries. National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland along with parent campaigners Pregnant then Screwed say… Continue reading Council cuts would force parents to move settled nursery children or pay thousands
Budget 2025: measures to reduce child poverty but little for nursery businesses
The Chancellor announced her Budget measures today (Wednesday 26 November) which included an end to the two child benefit cap, free training for apprentices but only business rates relief for retail and leisure sectors. Yesterday (Tuesday 25 November) she revealed the new statutory minimum wage rates from April 2026 which will be increasing by between… Continue reading Budget 2025: measures to reduce child poverty but little for nursery businesses
Nurseries need funding boosted to pay statutory wage rises from April
The Chancellor announced increases to the National Living and Minimum Wages on Tuesday 25 November, a day ahead of Budget Day. NDNA called for the government to boost funding rates to match wage increases and maintain pay differences. Here are the new National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage rates from April 2026: Purnima Tanuku CBE, Executive… Continue reading Nurseries need funding boosted to pay statutory wage rises from April
Nine in ten UK nurseries are struggling with NMW increases ahead of the Budget
Early years settings across the UK are facing unprecedented financial pressures. Almost 90% reported that National Minimum Wage (NMW) increases are placing them under significant strain, according to a new sector-wide survey by NDNA. Our pre-budget survey covered 545 settings across England, Scotland and Wales, highlighting the battling cost pressures on nurseries already operating on… Continue reading Nine in ten UK nurseries are struggling with NMW increases ahead of the Budget