The MP for Swansea West, Geraint Davies, has urged the government to re-commit to supporting childcare providers.

Virendra Sharma MPs letter, signed by Mr Davies, is calling on the Chancellor to not backtrack on the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme for childcare providers.

Previously the Department for Education guidance for childcare providers and nurseries was that the government would cover 80 percent of furloughed staff’s wages.

Since then the government has issued new guidance that now places limits on the level of support that childcare providers in receipt of ‘free entitlement’ can benefit from.

Mr Davies said: “The government’s last-minute change of guidance has thrown the early years sector into disarray.

“Before the Covid-19 Crisis even hit this sector was struggling financially, and now the removal of support that had previously been promised will mean that many providers will now have to make staff redundant or even close settings permanently.

“This is an incredibly desperate and financially difficult time for many people in this sector and their families and I am calling on the government to intervene to make sure that no one is left behind.”