Minister rejects suggestion original pre-school credit was too small

The Minister for Policy and Reform has rejected any suggestion that the original amount of credit given towards pre-school provision was too small.

Government announced today (Fri) that it's to double the money it spends on the scheme from nearly £500,000 to £1 million.

Chris Robertshaw says the original system where half of the Island had access to free pre-school education and the other didn't, was unfair.

The number of private sector nurseries increased significantly when government withdrew from providing the service.

And Mr Robertshaw says government had started a nursery credit facility at that time, he had gone on record as saying he would increase financial assistance as soon as he could