Extended school hours

Schools will open from 8.00am to 6.00pm in a bid to help working parents, Charles Clarke has announced.

The education secretary detailed the plan for a 10-hour school day in a speech to the childcare charity 4Children on Wednesday.

Government Response: Department for Education and Skills

Charles Clarke said: "Children are our most precious asset. How we nurture, care and support them in their early years is a fundamental test of whether a society values individuals and believes in opportunity for all.

"Since 1997, more than one million new childcare places have been created benefiting over 1.8 million children. Over 1200 new Neighbourhood Nurseries; 524 Sure Start local programmes and 107 Early Excellence Centres have been set up. Every three and four-year-old is now entitled to a free part-time early education place. The Chancellor has also introduced a system of tax credits to help thousands of working families pay for childcare."

Party Response: Liberal Democrat

Phil Willis MP, Liberal Democrat education spokesman, said: "It makes sense to get maximum use out of school facilities and to keep children in a single secure place throughout the day. But by missing out on essential details the government is at risk of spoiling a good idea.

"Parents must have peace of mind that their children are receiving high-quality childcare by properly vetted staff.

"Teachers must be informed how it will affect their work conditions and so far nobody has told schools how they are expected to pay for this.

"Until all these questions have been answered 10-hour schools remain another empty Labour promise."

Stakeholder Response: 4Children