PLA have requested information under the FoI regarding the CCommission

[Simona]

PLA have been rather busy today publishing press release
This one is related to the CCommission and the number of times Truss and someone, cchairs on the commission met

The total number of responses were 328


FoI request reveals only three meetings between Childcare Commission co‑chairs since last year

1st July 2013

Under 5 news exclusive

''Early years minister Elizabeth Truss and pensions minister Steve someone have met just three times since being appointed as co-chairs of the coalition government’s Childcare Commission, Under 5 can exclusively reveal.

A Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) response to a FoI request filed by Under 5 revealed that the ministers’ only official meetings were held in October 2012, November 2012 and February 2013.

Ms Truss and Mr someone were appointed as co‑chairs of the Childcare Commission — set up to examine how to “make childcare more affordable for working families and reduce unnecessary burdens on providers” - following a cabinet reshuffle in September 2012.

The Government has come under criticism from the early years sector for the long delay in responding to the Childcare Commission consultation, which ran from 19 July to 31 August last year. The Commission was initially due to publish a response in autumn last year.

Earlier this year, the Department for Education rejected an Alliance Freedom of Information request for copies of all 328 written responses to the consultation, stating that “the public interest lies in withholding the information”.

The DfE and DWP both told Under 5 that the Government will respond to the consultation “in due course”. (end)

[sarah707]

They have been busy on our behalf! I am growing in confidence that we might have a strong voice willing to engage

[Kiddleywinks]

Beginning to think the PLA is the association for me too! They certainly seem to be the most vocal