Opting Out Of Nursery Vouchers

EDM number 630 in 1995-96, proposed by Alice Mahon on 18/03/1996.

That this House congratulates Calderdale Council for providing nursery education for almost 70 per cent. of three year and four year olds and its policy of trying to expand this provision to all under fives as soon as possible; notes that this excellent provision is now under threat from the Government's new vouchers which are worth ú1,100, which is not enough to match the high standard of provision for four year olds in Calderdale where a reception class currently costs ú1,866 per year; further notes that to fund the vouchers the Government will take ú3 million from Calderdale, which is three-quarters of the money that the council spends on schooling for the under fives and that this will lead to fewer teachers, larger classes and reduced provision for three year olds; and therefore asks the Government to allow Calderdale Council, and others who request it, to opt out of the education voucher system.

This motion has been signed by a total of 77 MPs.