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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Pippa Crerar Political editor

Gillian Keegan says she can’t guarantee free childcare pledge will be met on time

Gillian Keegan
Gillian Keegan said tens of thousands of businesses were responsible for delivering the 15 hours of free childcare. Photograph: Thomas Krych/Zuma Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

The education secretary has admitted that she cannot guarantee the government’s pledge to provide new free childcare hours will be met on time as she is “not in control of all the bits”.

Gillian Keegan said tens of thousands of businesses were responsible for delivering the 15 hours of free childcare a week for two-year-olds from April in England, expanding to 30 hours for children as young as nine months by September 2025.

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