Generation Covid: Nurseries in Crisis - BBC Newsnight

Nurseries are warning of "mass closures" which could leave parents struggling to find childcare when they return to work as the coronavirus lockdown eases. Subscribe to our channel here

Tony Blair planned to end child poverty by 2020. That programme had stalled before coronavirus hit.

Now this year, the pandemic means some of the most disadvantaged children in the country face falling further behind, not just financially, but in their development too.

Newsnight’s been given research from the Sutton Trust which shows that in England two-thirds of nurseries, pre-schools and other provision for the under 5s were shut during lockdown - and that a third of settings in the most deprived areas now face closure for good.

The Children’s Commissioner for England tells us we need to ensure young children aren’t set back for the rest of their childhood as a result of what’s happened.

UK Editor Katie Razzall reports.

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