William Eichler 03 September 2018

Parents ‘struggling’ with childcare costs, TUC warns

Working parents with children under five have seen nursery fees increase three times faster than their wages over the past decade, trades unions have revealed.

Analysis from the TUC shows that childcare costs have risen by 52% per week since 2008 for families with a full-time and a part-time working parent.

Their wages have only gone up by 17% over the same period.

The situation has been worse for lone parents, the TUC found. Childcare costs for a single parent working full time have risen seven times faster than earnings. 

‘Working parents have seen childcare fees rocket, as their wages have stagnated,’ said TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady.

‘Despite government support families still face eye-watering nursery bills.

‘Britain’s cost of living crisis is having a huge impact on working mums and dads.’

Fees in England are now on average £236 a week for a child under 2 in nursery, compared to £159 in 2008, and £232 a week for a child over 2 in nursery, compared to £149 in 2008.

‘Successive governments have rightfully invested in childcare but, while this investment has been welcomed, many parents remain frozen out of work because of high childcare costs,’ said Ellen Broomé, from Coram Family and Childcare.

‘We know that high quality childcare boosts children’s outcomes, benefits the economy and allows parents to make genuine choices about work and care. But in the last year alone, childcare costs have risen by 7%.

‘Urgent action is needed to make sure all parents are better off working after paying for childcare.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Electrician

North Yorkshire Council
£34,434 - £42,839 per annum
We’re on the lookout for skilled Electricians who are passionate about making a difference! Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Technical Officer - Braintree District Council

Essex County Council
£36684.0000 - £40212.0000 per annum
Job title
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Electrician

North Yorkshire Council
£34,434 - £42,839 per annum
We’re on the lookout for skilled Electricians who are passionate about making a difference! Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

RCHW Site Operative - Maldon

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + pension
RCHW Site Operative - MaldonFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Driver

North Yorkshire Council
£12.85 - £13.47 per hour
The team delivers approximately 250,000 passenger journeys per year including 20,000 wheelchair user journeys. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner