‘A momentous moment’: campaigners hail Hunt’s childcare pledge – but vow to keep fighting

Joeli Brearley, the founder of Pregnant Then Screwed: ‘I know that what has been proposed is very imperfect … we now need to push for more funding so we can get this right for every parent, child and provider.’ Photograph: Richard Saker/The Guardian

As the chancellor stood up to deliver his spring budget on Wednesday, Joeli Brearley sat in the lobby of a hotel near parliament crouched over her laptop, headphones on, eyes glued to the screen.

The founder of Pregnant Then Screwed had read the Guardian’s story about the promise of 30 free hours a week for all children under five the night before, but after many leaks and denials she wouldn’t let herself hope. Then, after waiting for more than 50 minutes, she heard Jeremy Hunt confirm it.