To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received on the PricewaterhouseCooper’s report commissioned by his Department on the State of the Childcare Market; and what action has been taken to implement its recommendations. (104493)

The DfES commissioned PricewaterhouseCooper to deliver a report “The Childcare Market” in February 2006, which was published on the DfES website on 31 August 2006 as part of a series of five such report, including an over-view report.

A covering note published alongside the report and other communications to key stakeholders such as local authorities, Government Offices, CBI and members of the Department’s Third Sector Forum invited comments on the report to a dedicated e-mail box by 30 November 2006.

The Department will be reviewing all comments on the report in December and will be taking these into account in the further development of the commissioning and market management strategy in children’s services.