Only half of local areas have sufficient childcare for children under two, a new survey published today has revealed.

Coram Family and Childcare’s survey has revealed a drop in childcare availability across England over the past year, with around 50% of local areas reporting sufficient childcare for children under two, a decrease of 7% on 2022.

The annual poll, which received responses from 191 local authorities, also revealed that under half (48%) had enough childcare for parents working full-time, a decrease of 11% on last year.

Less than one in five (18%) local authorities in England reported having sufficient childcare for children with disabilities, a 3% decrease on 2022.

In addition, 43% of local authorities across Great Britain reported that some or many of their local childcare providers have reduced the number of funded early education entitlement places they can provide.

There are significant differences in the cost and availability of childcare depending on where you live across England. The average weekly cost of a part-time place for a child under two is 54% higher in inner London (£199.01) than in Yorkshire and Humberside (£129.32).

In outer London, just 28% of local authorities reported having enough childcare for children under two, whilst the figure is 100% for the North East.

Megan Jarvie, head of Coram Family and Childcare, said: ‘The need for reform of the childcare system is urgent. As well as eye watering bills, parents are facing widening gaps in availability of the childcare they need.

‘As the Chancellor decides his budget, we urge him to recognise the value of investing in childcare – it is a wise investment, enabling parents to work and boosting the outcomes of young children.’

A new study published today by the innovation charity Nesta found that parents in England spend on average a third (32%) of their pre-tax hourly wage on childcare.

In four London boroughs – Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Camden, and Brent – and in Manchester City Council’s area this rises to over 40%.

For a single earner on the London Living Wage (£11.95), the median cost of an hour’s childcare (£7.31) is equivalent to around 61% of median pre tax hourly income, or around 72% of post tax income, according to Nesta’s findings.

For a London earner on the national minimum wage (£10.42), the equivalent cost rises to 70% pre tax and 80% post tax.

Tom Symons, deputy director of Nesta’s fairer start team, said: ‘We know that families are really struggling and for many that means tough choices between giving up childcare or giving up work. This has a big knock-on effect on children and the economy.

‘Good childcare helps children develop a whole range of valuable early life skills including literacy and numeracy, social and emotional development and communication. There is agreement across the political spectrum that the early years are vital but our childcare system is broken, expensive and in desperate need of reform.’