Free Part-time Childcare

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:39 pm on 6 July 2021.

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Photo of Joel James Joel James Conservative 1:39, 6 July 2021

I'd just like to take the opportunity to pass on my condolences to the First Minister and his family during this period.

Minister, according to Public Health Wales, almost 27 per cent of children in Wales are overweight or obese, and this is a 4 per cent higher rate than in England and Scotland. This health concern is worse in areas of higher deprivation, where children are significantly more likely to be obese than the Welsh average. Obesity is a crisis for younger people and can affect mental and physical health in later years. Parents often struggle to support sports activities for children because of the cost and time, and this creates inequality amongst children, where those children with access to sports have more confidence, resilience and better self-esteem. Given the need to support parents in providing after-school childcare provision, and thinking of the health and well-being of our future generations, will the Minister make a commitment to provide additional resources so that all schools can provide free sports activities after the school day?