The Family and Childcare Trust report published today (Thursday 19), reveals that over the last Parliament the cost of childcare has soared by 32.% in the South East.
FAMILIES are spending £1,533 more this year than they did in 2010, while wages have remained largely static.
Labour Party analysis of this report reveals for the first time regional differences, which show that in some areas the cost of childcare has rocketed by up to 53 per cent over the lifetime of the present Parliament.
In England, the cost of a part-time nursery place for a child aged 2 or over has risen by 36 per cent since 2010 – more than six times faster than wages have risen over a similar period.
Alison McGovern MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Childcare and Children, said: “These figures lay bare the extent of David Cameron’s failure – he is badly letting down working families. Since 2010 the failing Tory plan has seen the costs of childcare soar. On top of this, there are over 40,000 fewer childcare places and wages are down £1,600 a year on average.
“Labour gets that Britain only succeeds when working families succeed. Our plan offers a better future for families struggling against the soaring cost and lack of availability of childcare, extending free childcare for working parents of three and four year olds from 15 to 25 hours, guaranteeing access to childcare for parents with primary age children through their local school, and delivering at least 50,000 more childcare places by doubling the number available at Sure Start centres.”
Nancy Platts, Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, added, “Many parents are telling me that the cost of childcare is now so expensive that it is hardly worth both of them going to work because an entire wage is going straight out again to pay the childcare bill. If one parent is forced to give up work because they can’t find affordable childcare, it makes their financial situation less secure; it is detrimental to our local economy and increases the risk of low income families falling into poverty.”
“In England, the cost of a part-time nursery place for a child aged 2 or over has risen by 36 per cent since 2010 – more than six times faster than wages have risen over a similar period.
“Alongside this, today the Labour Party is publishing its own research into the soaring cost of childcare in local areas. New analysis of responses to Freedom of Information requests reveal that since 2010 childcare costs have risen by more than 33 per cent in over one quarter of local authorities.”