Jeremy Hunt makes free childcare pledge in Budget amid funding fears trends now By David Wilcock, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline Published: 13:16 GMT, 6 March 2024 | Updated: 13:21 GMT, 6 March 2024 Viewcomments Chancellor Jeremy Hunt today promised to guarantee 'the rates that will be paid to childcare providers' to deliver the Government's free childcare expansion pledge. The government plans to give working parents of two-year-olds in England access to 15 hours of free childcare from April. But industry leaders had warned nurseries will be unable to meet the pledge if they did not receive funding in the Budget. More than 55 per cent said they could not meet local demand for places, meaning eligible families may miss out on the offer. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt today promised to guarantee 'the rates that will be paid to childcare providers' to deliver the Government's free childcare expansion pledge. Jeremy Hunt Share or comment on this article: Jeremy Hunt makes free childcare pledge in Budget amid funding fears All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility