8. Will the Minister provide an update on universal free childcare provision in light of the continued easing of Covid-19 lockdown arrangements in Wales? OQ55431

We are providing free childcare for the pre-school-age children of critical workers and vulnerable children under the coronavirus childcare assistance scheme. Our childcare offer remains suspended to new entrants. We intend to reinstate it in September, subject to the position with regard to the response to the virus.

With that in mind, I've been contacted by a resident who had questions about the 30 free hours—she's already eligible as one of the people who are already eligible—through the school holidays, which they're entitled to. Can you confirm and put it on the record that that will continue for those people already eligible? And, with regard to September, she's working from home and her partner is working from home as well. When will we have clarity as to the availability in September in order for parents to consider their options in advance of that time?

I thank Hefin David for that question. The budget for the offer was repurposed from April to fund childcare for the pre-school children of critical workers and vulnerable children under the coronavirus childcare assistance scheme. So, unfortunately, this meant that we had to close the offer to new entrants temporarily. We are working now with our key stakeholders, especially the local authorities, who are administering both the childcare coronavirus assistance scheme and the offer in their local areas to see when we can reopen the offer to new parents. We very much hope to be able to restart both the education and childcare provision under the offer in the autumn term. This is obviously subject to the data on the virus over the summer, but we are aware how important this support is for both families and childcare providers. So, we do aim to make an announcement as soon as possible.