MP Oliver Ryan is campaigning against Lancashire County Council’s plans to consult on nursery cuts.

The politician is among numerous Labour MPs calling for the Reform-led county council to protect early years funding, following reports it is considering the cuts.

At least 13 have already signed a letter to the authority highlighting their concerns about the impact on parents and childcare providers across the county.

Mr Ryan said: "Reform consistently talk about cutting services. I don't know why we're surprised they're cutting critical family services like this, they're just Tories who were too right-wing for the Tories. Expect to see more of this."

Nursery and pre-school pupils play and learn. (Photo by OLI SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

placeholder image — Nursery and pre-school pupils play and learn. (Photo by OLI SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Fellow Lancashire MP Ashley Dalton claims that councillors received a letter last week confirming the authority's consultation plans.

A petition set up by MPs says: “Currently, Lancashire County Council passes 100 per cent of the money it receives from the Department of Education for Early Years funding to nurseries in Lancashire.”

The letter from MPs adds: "We should, at all levels of government, be doing everything we can to reduce the burden on both childcare providers and families, not taking support away from them.

“We understand that you have the right to cut this funding if you wish to, but that would be a choice that impacts thousands of Lancashire residents for the worse, and would cause untold stress on young families.

"Lancashire is in a stage of growth and opportunity. We should be investing in its future, not cutting support for that future to the bone.”

MP Dalton claims the Government plans to increase investment in early years education in Lancashire by 4.4% next year, but that the council’s potential cuts could amount to £3m according to estimates by the National Day Nurseries Association.

MP Dalton added: “One nursery provider in Lancashire has predicted that this could mean her nursery losing out on £30,000 they currently rely on to provide early years services.”

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "We will be carrying out our annual consultation into funding for this service and we will consider a number of possible options.

"One of those options will be to pass on 100% of the funding to Early Years Providers, as we currently do. We will share the outcome of the consultation when this has been completed."