Early years pledges 'Gamechanger' for working families says GMB
Union backs universal childcare and SureStart expansion as General Secretary joins Labour campaign trail.
GMB has backed Labour’s early years plans as ‘gamechanging’ for working families.
Speaking in Birmingham alongside Labour's Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner, GMB General Secretary Tim Roache welcomed Labour's plans to expand free childcare and invest in early years.
GMB represents thousands of school support staff, carers and foster carers alongside hundreds of thousands of working people who juggle childcare and work responsibilities on a daily basis.
Tim Roache joined the Shadow Education Secretary at Castle Vale Children’s Centre to welcome the policy and speak to children, parents and workers in the sector.
This visit comes on the heels of the union criticising government plans to axe free school dinners and put at risk up to 17,000 jobs in school catering.
Investment in early years - from education, to childcare, to helping struggling parents find the confidence and skills they need to raise their kids - is something GMB has long been vocal about.
Tim Roache, GMB General Secretary said:
“Investing in early years is so hugely important and Labour's early years plans do just that.
“If we invest in our kids - and those who look after them - at the earliest opportunity, all of us will feel the benefit.
“Too many working parents struggle to make ends meet when they've paid for childcare, and in a climate where insecure work is on the rise it's harder and harder for parents on agency or zero hours contracts to plan.
“Labour’s policies will be a gamechanger for working families.
“I don't even think this is radical, it's common sense.
“More and better childcare, treating those who care for our kids as professionals and getting back to the real purpose of SureStart - we'll have some of that.”
