The Labour Party has been accused of yet another big policy U-turn after ruling out universal childcare for young children as part of a “fiscal credibility drive” aimed at persuading swing voters they can be trusted with the public’s finances.
Labour today ruled out offering universal childcare for all children over nine months old, instead considering a means-tested offer.
However, earlier this year, Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson promised Labour would guarantee childcare from the end of parental leave until the end of primary school.
She promised Labour plans would resemble the “birth of the NHS”.
Today’s U-turn, according to analysis passed to the Express, is Labour’s 30th since Sir Keir Starmer became the party’s leader.
READ MORE: U-turning Rachel Reeves admits flagship Labour policy would crash the economy
Responding to the latest change of policy a Tory source told the Express: “This is the umpteenth flip flop from Labour.”
“It just goes to show that their policies are an absolute shambles, they have more positions than the Kama Sutra.
“Only the Conservative party has a plan that focuses on the people’s priorities.”
Jeremy Corbyn joined the discussion as he tweeted: “There’s nothing fiscally credible about keeping parents out of work by denying them the support they need.”
“Universal childcare would boost the economy, raise educational attainment and improve gender equality.
“Investing in our children benefits us all.”
The Guardian reported the U-turn this afternoon, writing that shadow ministers are now exploring options their own backbenchers are warning will “fall short” of Ms Phillipson’s previously-stated ambition.
A Labour spokesperson said: “An expansion of childcare to all children is not Labour’s policy. Last year Labour announced that as part of its plans to modernise childcare that we will deliver free breakfast clubs for all primary school pupils in England, paid for by closing the non-dom tax loophole, and allowing councils to offer more childcare provision where they are able to do so.”
“Everything in our manifesto will be fully costed, fully funded, and subject to our fiscal rules.”
Jeremy Hunt massively expanded childcare provision in his last Budget, announcing up to 30 hours of free care a week that parents can claim before their third birthday.
Party sources said the Conservatives are now considering a means-tested approach.
The about turn comes just four days after Labour’s shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced a major scrapping of a flagship pledge to invest £28 billion a year on green projects from the first year of a Starmer government.
Speaking on the Today Programme, Ms Reeves admitted the party had realised such high levels of public spending would have “crashed markets” like Liz Truss’s government.
Net Zero secretary Grant Shapps blasted Labour for an “embarrassing and screeching” change of mind last week.
