Jeremy Corbyn to extend Labour's free childcare offer beyond 30 hours-a-week

Jeremy Corbyn will pledge to extend his party’s free childcare offer beyond 30 hours for low-income families.

The Labour leader is already promising 30 free hours for all two, three and four year olds – but will say even more will be available if Labour wins office.

For higher income families further hours will be available at a low cost, Mr Corbyn will tell party delegates on Wednesday.

He is expected to say in his speech that, “opportunity matters most in the earliest years of life.”

He will add: “It is a crucial time to open up children’s life chances.

“Driving up standards of childcare will make that vital difference for millions of our children.”

Currently families in England receiving some forms of support are entitled to 15 hours free childcare for their two year olds.

Then all families are entitled to the same amount for children aged three and four.

But some working households with three and four year olds are then entitled to an additional 15 hours, bringing the total for many employed parents to 30 hours free.

Under plans proposed last year, Labour would give a blanket 30 hours to all two, three and four year olds, with Mr Corbyn’s latest offer now going further.

There would be additional free hours of childcare on top of the free 30 hour allowance for low income families, and additional care charged at no more than £4 per hour for those in a higher income bracket.

The party says the extra childcare would be met by providing at least an extra £4.8bn of funding.

Mr Corbyn will also set out a two-term plan to shift childcare employees into a graduate-led workforce, requiring all staff to be qualified to level three or working towards a level three qualification.

Other proposals being promised by the party include increasing the current number of childcare staff from some 286,500 to 430,000 and establishing a national pay scale.