CHILDCARE has become “unavailable and unaffordable” under a Conservative government that has deliberately underfunded services, forcing some providers to close, Labour charged today.

Shadow cabinet member Bridget Phillipson said that the government has underfunded free childcare hours, pushing providers to charge parents for more hours and causing some services to shut up shop under the pressure.

The comment followed reports that parents are being left without childcare as nurseries close at short notice because of government underinvestment, financial pressure and staff shortages.