Childcare costs have spiralled for two-thirds of UK families, survey shows

theguardian.com:

The crisis in the UK childcare sector has been laid bare by two major surveys, with campaigners saying young families and struggling providers are being ignored by ministers as the cost of living crisis spirals.

Both surveys suggest childcare fees are increasing to an unmanageable level, with two-thirds of 27,000 parents reporting rising childcare costs in the past six months, and a similar percentage of providers confirming increases.

Two-thirds of respondents to the survey published by the campaign groups Pregnant Then Screwed and Mumsnet, said they were paying as much or more for their childcare than for their rent or mortgage. Almost half (43%) of working mothers were considering leaving their jobs and 40% were working fewer hours than they wanted to because childcare fees were unaffordable.

A separate survey of 1,970 childcare providers by the Early Years Alliance found 72% of providers said government funding for two-year-olds did not cover costs, while 86% said funding for three- to four-year-olds was insufficient.

Only 57% of local authorities report there are sufficient places available for children under two.

Pressure has been mounting on the government to address the crippling costs. A petition calling for an independent review of funding and affordability gathered 113,713 signatures and triggered a debate in parliament. But on International Women’s Day signatories were told the government had no plans to carry out a review.

The parent survey provides further evidence of the cost of living crisis. Low earners are being hit the hardest, with 16% of households with an income of less than £25,000 saying bills had doubled, compared with 7% of those with a household income of more than £150,000. One in four parents said