§ Mr. FitzpatrickTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for the long-term funding of the trained child-carers taken on under the new deal for the unemployed. [8035]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithWe are committed to the production of a national childcare strategy, which will plan provision to match the requirements of the modern labour market and help parents, especially women, to balance family and working life. We are currently considering the content of such a strategy, and will make an announcement in due course.
Young unemployed people will be offered the opportunity to obtain training and work experience in childcare as part of the New Deal programme. We hope this will create a larger skilled workforce in childcare, which will help to improve the overall position on childcare provision.