Coram Childcare Survey: Time to invest properly in our children's future

EMBARGO: 00:01 THURSDAY 9 MARCH 

In response to the Coram Family and Childcare annual survey which showed an increase of 5.6% in part-time childcare costs and 7% fewer local areas reporting sufficient childcare places for children under two, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

“The huge increase in costs of childcare is hitting cash-strapped young families who are already facing a cost of living crisis.

“The UK already has some of the highest childcare costs in the world. Parents up and down the country are struggling to afford their nursery fees, while for others the crippling costs of childcare mean they simply can’t afford to return to work.

“The Government needs to address this childcare crisis and invest properly in our children’s future.

“The Liberal Democrats believe parents deserve a fair deal with quality childcare provision for all, giving children the best start in life and parents more choice about when to return to work.”
 

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

1. Coram Family and Childcare publishes annual survey into UK childcare costs and availability covering nursery, childminder and after-school clubs. 

Findings reveal a sharp drop in childcare availability across England over the past year, with only half of local areas reporting sufficient childcare for children under two, a decrease of 7% on 2022, and under half (48%) reporting enough childcare for parents working full-time, a decrease of 11% on last year. 

The survey also finds that the cost of childcare across Great Britain has continued to rise steadily, at a time when parents are already struggling to meet costs. A part-time place (25 hours a week) for a child under two now costs an average of £148.63 per week, an annual increase of 5.6%.