You are here: News Frustrated parents take to Parliament to demand answers on childcare
Parents with babes in arms will descend on Parliament today (3 March) to demand that all political parties commit to turning the tide on the rising cost of childcare, ahead of the election.
With 80% of women planning to return to work after having children and childcare costs for under twos rising 33% in the last five years, family charities, NCT and the Family and Childcare Trust have invited parents to share their concerns with MPs.
It isn’t just high costs that are putting working parents under pressure. With only 43% of local councils in England and 18% in Wales reporting sufficient levels of childcare for working parents, finding quality childcare is also an increasing issue.
Susie Parsons, Chief Executive at NCT said:
"Parents across the country are crying out for more childcare support. Those with children under two are particularly squeezed because they are not yet eligible for the statutory 15 hours of free childcare.
"There is lots of rhetoric from political parties about supporting working parents but it’s time to ‘walk the talk’ and commit to policies that will make an actual difference. Giving all parents 15 hours of free childcare from the moment they return to work is an essential start."
Stephen Dunmore, chief executive at the Family and Childcare Trust said:
"Childcare in Britain has reached a tipping point. We now see far too many parents unable to work or increase their hours to lift themselves out of poverty because childcare is simply too expensive.
"The complex childcare system in Britain needs radical reform. In the run-up to the general election we want to see all parties commit to an independent review of childcare. We need a simple system that promotes quality, supports parents and delivers for children."
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Contact: Mark Bou Mansour, Communications and Campaigns Manager. Telephone: 0207 940 7535, mobile: 07538 334 772, email:mark@familyandchildcaretrust.org.
NCT contact: Nicole Jackson, 020 8752 2417, nicole.jackson@nct.org.uk out of hours: 07722 839 428
Notes to Editor:
The Family and Childcare Trust’s annual childcare costs survey 2015 found:
- All childcare for under-fives has risen by at least 27 per cent in the last Parliament.
- A nursery place for an under two year old for the first time broke through the £6,000-a-year barrier, averaging at £115.45 a week across Britain.
- Gaps in provision for disabled children have got bigger, with only 21 per cent of English local authorities and seven per cent in Wales having enough childcare for this group of children, compared with 28 per cent in England and 18 per cent in Wales in 2014
- The average cost of part-time care from a childminder has risen by 4.3 per cent in one year, and now costs £104.06 per week or £5,411 a year.
- Parents who get help with childcare costs through the childcare element of Working Tax Credit – currently set at 70 per cent of the maximum £175 a week – will now be out of pocket by a minimum of £52.50 per week, even for part-time childcare, in several local authority areas. There are five local authorities in London where the average cost of a part-time childminder exceeded £175 a week, and 11 (eight in London and three in other English regions) where a part-time nursery place costs more than £175 a week.
- Just 43 per cent of councils in England have enough childcare to meet the needs of working parents, down from 54 per cent in 2014.
About NCT
NCT is the UK’s largest parent charity. Each year the charity supports millions of parents through their first 1,000 days, offering expert information and trusted practical and emotional support through its website, helpline, the nationwide network of over 300 local branches, antenatal and postnatal classes, breastfeeding counselling and peer support schemes. For more information call NCT on 0300 330 0770 or visit www.nct.org.uk.
About the Family and Childcare Trust
The Family and Childcare Trust aims to make the UK a better place for families. We are a leading national family charity in the field of policy, research and advocacy on childcare and family issues, with over 40 years’ experience. Our on-the-ground work with parents and providers informs our research and campaigns. We focus on the early years and childcare because they are crucial to boosting children’s outcomes throughout life and supporting parents to work.