Guernsey's retail sector says more States funding for childcare would help ease staff shortages.

The Guernsey Retail Group is calling on the government to improve childcare provision.

The GRG says there are currently 200 vacancies in the island's retail sector which it says could be filled through encouraging and supporting islanders to return to work.

The call follows the announcement in the UK budget last week that 30 free hours childcare is being extended to children from the age of nine months to address the national recruitment crisis.

Korinne Le Page, Head of Retail Development, thinks its a policy that would greatly improve the local jobs landscape:

"The UK’s landmark announcement, which Jersey is also considering, means parents of all children aged nine months to five years would receive free childcare, allowing them to return to the workforce and bring their skills into the community. If the same policy was adopted here, it could make a real difference to many sectors locally, including retail."

The GRG says increasing the size of the workforce would mean more people paying into the tax and social security systems and would improve productivity and boost the economy.

Ms Le Page says it makes financial sense:

"We are fully aware from the recent tax review that there are to be fiscal restraints so it must be seen as an absolute priority to address the prediction of fewer people paying into the tax system by 2040 and make it easier for women in particular to return to work.

Retail as a career, also offers a range of offering varied and fulfilling opportunities, so everything from sales to buying, marketing to store management, merchandising, window dressing along with non-customer facing opportunities. Roles can also be flexible, suiting both part-time and full-time."

Guernsey currently offers 15 free nursery hours for 3 & 4 year olds during term-time.