Item 4 this afternoon is a statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Services, childcare offer for Wales, and I call on the Deputy Minister, Julie Morgan.

Diolch, and thank you very much for the opportunity to update Members about the childcare offer for Wales, including the expansion to parents in education and training. Affordable, available and accessible childcare helps parents to work, supporting our drive to increase economic growth, tackle poverty and reduce inequalities. That's why we are committed to funding childcare for more families where parents are in education and training or on the edge of work.

In September, we expanded the childcare offer for Wales to include parents already enrolled or planning to enrol in higher and further education courses of at least 10 weeks in length. This reflects the value we place on supporting people who are seeking to improve their employment prospects by gaining qualifications, retraining or changing career path. It also means we can support healthcare students, who are not always eligible for childcare support under existing schemes.

The expansion is already showing its potential. In one local authority, a family got in touch to express their thanks for the '10 out of 10 service', the mum being supported while she studies for a Bachelor of nursing degree. In the first term since the expansion, we've been made aware of 168 families now benefiting from the childcare offer, with more expected over the next few weeks as the applications for the January intake are received. Supporting parents in education and training with childcare costs means that more families, and especially women, will be able to benefit from improved employment prospects.

Dirprwy Lywydd, alongside this expansion of the childcare offer, we've also been scoping the support that is available through our higher and further education support programmes and our employability programmes, such as Communities for Work, Parents, Childcare and Employment and ReAct. This cross-portfolio work will identify the most appropriate way to provide additional support for parents, particularly those in adult learning, work-based learning, community learning, those undertaking English for speakers of other languages courses and those on short-term courses. It will make sure that we can provide maximum support to parents.

The latest independent evaluation findings, which were published earlier this year, once again showed our childcare offer has been supporting parental employment. As of June 2022, there were more than 18,000 children accessing childcare funded by the childcare offer. We expect this number will increase as more parents consider the options available to them in this cost-of-living crisis.

Almost one in 10 parents accessing the childcare offer said they wouldn't be in work if it wasn’t for the offer. A further 6 per cent said they would be working in a job with lower pay if the offer had not been available to them. For those families, the childcare offer is making a significant difference to their lives. But the childcare offer doesn’t just play a vital role in these families’ lives, it also supports many childcare providers as well. And to ensure it continues to support childcare providers, we've agreed a rate increase to £5 per hour following a review, and this represents an increase of 11 per cent.  

The amount childcare providers can charge parents for food under the offer has also increased, from £7.50 to £9 per day. This reflects the significant rise in both food prices and utilities, but it is a careful balance between what is affordable for the provider and, of course, what is affordable for the family to pay.

To help improve the process of delivering the childcare offer for providers, as well as making it easier than ever for parents to apply, we've recently launched our new all-Wales digital service. I wrote to Members last month, ahead of the launch, about this. Last week, I visited the Darling Buds Nursery in Cardiff, just over the road there, to hear directly about what the new digital service means for them and their parents.

The new digital service will make accessing the childcare offer even easier and provide a more consistent experience across Wales. It'll simplify the processes childcare providers have to follow to claim payments and will streamline the data-collection process for all, to further refine our understanding of take-up. The new service will be available online, with a range of offline support options available to users. As the service is available on any device connected to the internet, people will be able to access the service through free-to-access devices in public libraries, bearing in mind the pressures on people's budgets.

The new service has been designed with the Welsh language standards and security needs as top priorities. It'll be fully live from January 2023 and will completely replace the current systems by September 2023.

So, I'd like to ask the Senedd to join me in welcoming this expansion and the new national digital service, which is supporting those parents who have chosen to pursue their career goals through higher and further education. And of course, we are continuing to extend provision for two-year-olds via Flying Start as part of our co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru. Diolch.

Thank you very much for your statement this afternoon, Deputy Minister. It's concerning that the Welsh Government has been so quick to work on a Wales-wide digital childcare service when the NHS has been waiting over 10 years for systems to be updated, and fax machines are still being used throughout the estate. And although it's the 100-year anniversary of Labour's dominance in Wales today, and your party is celebrating tonight, I believe, I'm sure the people of Wales would celebrate a Labour Party and Welsh Government that is able to move beyond the twentieth century and have some twenty-first century thinking when it comes to technology, Deputy Minister. And although the Welsh Conservatives fully support extending childcare provision across Wales, it's clear that the digital service launched by the Government may leave those who need the support the most not being able to access it, and poses a serious risk of leaving people unable to access childcare that they so desperately need. 

The digital age has allowed millions to have unlimited access to the internet, but this is not universal, and many are still without smartphones, computers, or tablets, for that matter. These are often the elderly and the poorest, and I worry that the potential lack of technology access will leave many people unable to access this service. And cost-of-living pressures have made many people in places such as Rhyl in my constituency, and others across Wales, struggling, and adding demands to buy new technology is not going to help ease pressures, when unlimited mobile data and tablets are a luxury to some. Equally, even well-off and rural families across Wales are often faced with the burden of a lack of internet access, 5G and broadband, which can also leave them unable to access this service. This shows that there are larger issues that the Government have to address before introducing a one-size-fits-all plan that gives the Welsh Government even more control over our local authorities.  

Although the plan is well intentioned, the Government's idea of the plan ensuring that parents and childcare providers across Wales have the same experience no matter which local authority they live in is not the case, and the Government has neglected to consider how a Wales-wide service does not consider these issues. Therefore, will the Deputy Minister explain how this plan will be extended across all of Wales's 22 local authorities? How much thought has been put into the geographical and economic divides many of these authorities face, and is a one-size-fits-all approach appropriate in the childcare sector? Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. I'm a bit bemused how Gareth Davies can say, 'Why aren't we advancing technology?', when, in fact, that's what I'm actually announcing today. We are announcing a digital solution for the childcare sector. I really think that he's seizing on things to try to criticise what is a very positive move forward. I'm pleased that he's noted that it's 100 years of Llafur today, and that we will be—. We will be celebrating tonight, and one of the things we will be celebrating will be the big input that this Government has put into childcare and recognising the needs for parents and children. And I think that Labour's success in Wales reflects the fact that we have looked at what people need and have tried to fulfil those needs.

I think he, obviously, makes an important point about those not able to access technology, and that has been taken very carefully into account, and there are means for people to get help if they're not able to access technology. For example, they're able to have a dedicated helpline, a phone line, and also in-person help as well, and that has been taken on board.

This service was delivered, actually, not through 22 local authorities, but through 10 different local authorities who acted on behalf of other local authorities. This will make it much simpler, much easier, for the providers and for the parents, in terms of being able to access the services. And it's interesting that, in our communications with the parents, we've actually found that there were very few who are not digitally connected. This is, obviously, a younger group of the population on the whole, but, nevertheless, I would accept that there will be some who won't be, and we have put measures in to try and address that. I think, in fact, there were more amongst the providers who may not have been digitally connected, and so effort is being put into that. 

The first week has shown that between 2,500 and 3,000 parents are already starting to apply to start using the childcare offer in January. In the first week, we had 2,000 parents actually in the process of registering, and we have already approved 400 of them. I tried the technology when I visited Darling Buds, and it was very easy and simple to do. The majority of providers are registered with the service to provide the offer. I think that Gareth Davies is bringing up other issues to try to diminish the success of what we're doing. Thank you.

Thank you, Deputy Minister. Childcare is an important element of the co-operation agreement, and I'm pleased to welcome this afternoon's statement. The facts that you have referred to demonstrate just why this is so important, and the impact that expansion is already having. I know of casework in the past involving people who would have benefited a great deal from what you have shared with us this afternoon, and who have had to give up Master's degrees because this support wasn't available to them. So, it is an important step forward, and it is something to be welcomed as the statistics show.

Universal free childcare has been recognised as the greatest of equalisers by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. While expanding access to free childcare directly benefits children in their formative years, it also—as you’ve acknowledged—has wider benefits in tackling poverty. As we know, it removes some of the barriers to help parents, particularly mothers, to return to work.

We know that a lack of childcare is one of the most frequently cited barriers to women’s employment, resulting in lower economic participation and curtailing women’s career options. In Wales, 86 per cent of single parents are mothers, and 63 per cent of mothers in two-parent households are solely or mainly responsible for childcare, compared with just 17 per cent of fathers. That is why this is crucial in terms of striving for a gender-equal Wales. That’s why, as you referenced, free childcare from 12 months, starting with implementation for two-year-olds in this first term—that’s why it was a key pledge for Plaid Cymru in the Senedd 2021 election, and that’s why it features in the co-operation agreement between our two parties.

As we know, the sector faces a very difficult period. Through COVID, childcare providers stepped up to the national emergency and turned themselves into childcare hubs for our key workers, meaning that nurses, doctors and teachers could continue to work. The sector now needs as much help and support as possible, as we face the cost-of-living emergency, so that their essential services remain available.

Access to free childcare is also strongly limited by serious gaps in provision across Wales. The Family and Childcare Trust childcare survey in 2022 showed that childcare sufficiency has decreased since 2021 for all categories in Wales, except after-school care for 12 to 14-year-olds. Less than a third of local authorities, 29 per cent, have enough childcare for the 30 hours of free early education entitlement under the childcare offer. There are significant shortages for disabled children and parents working atypical hours, with no local authorities reporting that there is childcare under these in all areas of their authority.

But, as you have also recognised, there is a huge opportunity and need to ensure that childcare through the medium of Welsh is provided across Wales. Childcare sits within the wider area of early education and care, and it is through early years services and childcare settings that thousands of children and families all over Wales gain their first experiences of the Welsh language and Welsh-medium education.

I would like to ask specifically today, just to follow up on some of the points there—. I was pleased to see the Deputy Minister reference digital exclusion and acknowledge some of the challenges there, because we are seeing more and more people choosing not to renew broadband, for instance, in their homes, as part of cost-of-living measures. In some areas, and that includes areas that are only a few miles from Cardiff, it can mean that you have a lack of access to a strong signal to be able to access digital services. So, I think that there is something in that.

Obviously, the opening hours of things like public libraries aren’t always flexible, because, often, parents might look at these options in the evenings or at the weekends. Some libraries are open on a Saturday, but not all. So, I would ask: how are we able to ensure that digital exclusion won’t be a barrier for many people who are struggling at present? I think that there are many things to welcome here, but I do worry in terms of those who can use the technology—it's not a matter of not being able to use it—but can't access it because of the cost-of-living crisis currently.

Also, can the Deputy Minister advise what steps the Welsh Government is taking to address the serious gaps in childcare provision, including provisions for disabled children, and, as mentioned, parents working atypical hours, and I think the points raised by the Member previously in terms of people living in rural areas, where access or transport can be a barrier to accessing childcare? So, how do we ensure that everybody who needs it is able to access it, when and where they need it?

And finally, if I may ask, in terms of the national digital service, I note that there was an evaluation undertaken and trials, and you've referenced this in terms of positive feedback. Can you please inform us where this is available in the public domain, because I haven't been able to find it, so that we understand from the evaluation and feedback from the trials perhaps some of the challenges that need to be overcome? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Heledd, for your warm welcome for these steps forward. I was interested to hear about the experience of people who were in education and weren't able to access the childcare offer, because I've had the same experience in my own constituency work, and I think it will make a significant difference to people who need to access that. I'm also very pleased that Heledd mentioned the wider benefits of tackling poverty and how absolutely crucial providing free, accessible childcare is for progress. And obviously, we are only a step on the way—I absolutely acknowledge that, that there is a long way to go—but I'm very pleased to be working with the designated Member to ensure that we do spread childcare as far as possible.

So, there are shortages. I absolutely accept that there are shortages in the system and I'm very pleased that we've been able to give support for developing Welsh-medium education, because I think that's absolutely crucial. I think, if we can get that embedded in the early stages, when children first start to attend anywhere—the one and two-year-olds—then I think we will be really moving ahead in terms of the Welsh language. So, it's really great that we have got this opportunity and, of course, we're being helped by Cwlwm to take this forward.

On disabled children, I know the childcare offer does take account of the needs of children and families with disabilities. And I believe there is extra help, actually, put in financially for that reason.

The points that you've echoed in terms of some of the things that Gareth said, about digital exclusion, that has absolutely been recognised in these proposals. And as I said, it will be possible for people to be helped to do it in terms of telephones and face-to-face contact—that has been specifically included. And of course, this won't be something that people will have to be doing all the time. Hopefully, they'll get it all set up and it won't be necessary for the parents, in particular, to be using this the whole time, but it will be necessary for the providers to be using it constantly, because they'll be claiming for the money, so it's really important that the providers are able to access it easily.

There was an evaluation, and this was done—. There was a group who prepared for the bringing in of the digital service, and the group included parents, providers, and it was very co-produced, and I'll have to get to you where you can actually access that.

And finally, Jenny Rathbone.

Thank you very much for your report. I think one of the important things that you highlighted is that almost one in 10 parents accessing the childcare offer said that they wouldn't be able to work if it wasn't for the offer. And that's absolutely correct, because childcare is just far too expensive compared with the wages that most people can command. This is very much a work in progress for all of us, but I fully acknowledge the dedication and the passion that you put into this task, and we have to keep going.

One of the things I'd like to ask, which I wondered if you'd discuss with your colleagues, is that in the NHS the biggest challenge that they have is filling vacancies. One of the reasons that they can't fill the vacancies is because of the lack of childcare. Nurses, in particular, would struggle to work if they didn't have childcare. I just wondered if there's any consideration by the Government of thinking of offering free childcare to anybody who's working in the national health service.

Secondly, I just want to highlight the issue of accessibility. I agree with Gareth on some things, on the importance of ensuring that information is available in person as well as digitally, but it has to be accurate information. I was recalling the recommendation that the Equality and Social Justice Committee made around this issue earlier this year on the need to develop a one-stop-shop information service, so that parents could search whatever is available, depending on where they live. You referred us to the family information service, and for Cardiff that's provided by Cardiff Family Advice and Support—

Jenny, you need to conclude now.

So, I tried searching for care for two-year-olds from the place where I used to live in Llanedeyrn. Nothing came up within a mile. I then searched for support for childcare for a Llanedeyrn post code that's in the Flying Start area, and once again I was disturbed that nothing flashed up within a mile. That is not accurate. And, if it's not accurate, then it's extremely difficult for people who may not be in the Flying Start area, who therefore won't get that additional support from health visitors, to know where to go, particularly if it's their first child and they don't have those networks.

Jenny, you do need to conclude, please.

I'm making an important point.

You are, but you're also well over the time limit, as you know.

Thanks very much, Jenny, for those very important points. I think all the evaluation has shown that the childcare offer has really helped parents to get back to work, and it is parents who generally are on average or low earnings, because they would not have been able to afford the cost of childcare if they had to pay out of their own pockets. So, I think it has been very successful in reaching the people that we intended it to reach. The childcare offer is offered to everybody who fulfills the criteria of working the number of hours. So, there hasn't been any special provision for the NHS, but the extension to education and training that is now happening does mean that student healthcare workers will be able to access it, which they weren't able to do before. So, I think that is bound to help the problem in the health service. Then, you also raised the issue about the digital stuff, and obviously I think the same response, that we are providing help personally on the telephone to people who do have problems about digital access. The last point, the family information service, that is supposed to hold all the information, so I think it is something that should be followed up about why that wasn't there, and that's something I can do with my colleagues. Thank you.

I thank the Deputy Minister.