Nurseries will not offer extended free childcare planned by the government if a funding gap is not plugged warned local MP Daniel Zeichner.

The Childcare Bill is due to roll out an extra 15 hours of childcare per week in termtime for three and four year olds in 2017. However government underfunding of the scheme means many nurseries may struggle to provide the extended free care for youngsters.

On a visit to the Sunflower Nursery, Daniel Zeichner MP was told that on current costs there is likely to be an unsustainable £1 per hour shortfall making it unlikely that they will be able to provide the extra hours.

Daniel Zeichner MP said: “High quality affordable childcare is a laudable aim. But this is typical of the Government who announce a policy but then don’t fund it properly. There are serious funding shortfalls stopping nurseries getting on board, despite their desire to help families with free childcare. If the Government really want to help local mums and dads they need to put their money where their mouth is.”