It took the pandemic to make ministers realise childcare is vital to the economy but many doubt there will be enough funding for promised extra hours
As the chancellor stood up to deliver his spring budget on Wednesday, Joeli Brearley sat in the lobby of a hotel near parliament crouched over her laptop, headphones on, eyes glued to the screen.
The founder of Pregnant Then Screwed had read the Guardian’s story about the promise of 30 free hours a week for all children under five the night before, but after many leaks and denials she wouldn’t let herself hope. Then, after waiting for more than 50 minutes, she heard Jeremy Hunt confirm it.
