Rising costs of childcare keeps people out of work, research reveals

Childcare costs have risen by 27% over the past five years, which means that many families are faced with the prospect of at least one family member giving up on their current occupation or not even searching for employment according to the Family and Childcare Trust.

The research found the cost of sending a child under two to nursery part time (25 hours) is now £115.45 per week in the UK (£6,003 per year), a £300 rise since last year. Furthermore, the cost of part-time care from a childminder has also risen, by 43%, and now costs £104.06 per week (£5,411 per year).

Commenting on the research, Computershare Voucher Services MD Julian Foster said childcare costs were proving to be a “major barrier to work for far too many parents”. He said employers could do more to help by making flexible working more widely available.

He added: “There is still time for employers to set up their own childcare voucher scheme to help parents with childcare costs, before the government’s tax-free voucher scheme is rolled out later this year, especially as many families won’t be eligible for the new scheme.”

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