Labour to launch taskforce to 'transform early years provision' in Britain

Labour’s shadow education secretary is to announce the setting up of a taskforce to “transform early years provision” for every family in Britain.

Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary, will today tell Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool that the taskforce, which will consult with childcare experts, will be chaired by Liz Snape, the deputy general secretary of the union Unison.

Claiming that the Government has closed down 800 Sure Start centres across the country she will add: Access to affordable high quality childcare and early-years learning is one of the most effective drivers of social mobility. Getting it right will improve the life chances of countless children across the country. That must be our mission.

Ms Rayner, who was appointed to her post in July after the resignation of Lucy Powell and Pat Glass, will also use her speech to attack the Conservatives who “look down their nose at me” because “I wasn’t born with a plum in my mouth.”

“I get snobbery too from some pundits and commentators, from the hate-filled trolls on social media. Some of the Tories say: ‘she left school at 16, she doesn't have a university degree, what does she know about education?’

“I say, I may not have a degree - but I have a Masters in real life. I understand that every parent wants the best for their child. Because I want the best for my children too. And I tell you as a Northern, working class mum, I won't accept anything less for my children - and for your children.”

“I left school at 16, pregnant, with no qualifications. Some may argue I was not a great role model for today’s young people. The direction of my life was set. But something happened. Labour’s Sure Start centres gave me and my friends, and our children, the help and support we needed to grow and develop. They changed the lives of three million children and their parents.