Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jeremy Corbyn struggled to say how much his flagship childcare policy would cost in a difficult radio interview.
The Labour leader appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour as part of the launch of his party’s new policy of providing 30 hours of universal free childcare each week for all pre-school children.
The party’s whole childcare policy, which Labour says would benefit 1.3 million people, would cost £5.3bn a year, according to the party’s costings document.
Mr Corbyn however struggled to come up with the figure during the interview, and was accused of looking at his iPad by the programme’s presenter.
“It would obviously cost a lot to do so, we accept that. The point I’m trying to make is that we’re making it universal so we’re in a position where every child gets it,” he said, before asking to move on.
He insisted that he wanted “to give an accurate figure”, but he ultimately did not produce one.
Currently in England, all three to four-year-olds are eligible for 570 hours of childcare or early education per year – which equates to around 15 hours a week for 38 weeks.
Some two-year-olds can get free childcare too. The Government has also offered to provide 30 hours of free childcare to working families meeting certain earnings thresholds from September this year.
Labour has produced full costings for its manifesto, while the Conservatives have provided none.
Additional reporting by PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments