Fees up by 52 per cent, compared to 17 per cent increase in nominal wages
Working parents with children under five have seen nursery fees rise three times faster than their wages over the past decade, according to new TUC analysis published today (Monday).
The analysis shows that childcare costs have rocketed by 52 per cent per week since 2008 for families with a full-time and a part-time working parent. Over the same period their wages have gone up by just 17 per cent.
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The situation is even worse for lone parents. Childcare costs for a single mum or dad working full time have risen seven times faster than earnings.
Fees in England are now on average:
- £236 a week for a child under 2 in nursery, compared to £159 in 2008
- £232 a week for a child over 2 in nursery, compared to £149 in 2008.
Over the past 10 years the growth in nursery fees for families with a full-time and a part-time working parent has outstripped wages the most in the West Midlands, followed by the South East and the North East.
Shortfall in support
The analysis shows that despite government support (including free nursery hours for some working families and the new tax-free childcare scheme) families are still being left with huge childcare bills. Looking at parents with a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old:
- A family on average earnings (with a parent working full-time and a parent working part-time) has to stump up more than £4,700 a year to cover fees.
- A low-income working family (with a parent working full-time and a parent working part-time) needs to find nearly £2,000 a year.
- A single parent on average earnings (working full-time) pays just over £6,000.
- A single parent on average earnings (working part-time) has to fork out £1,900.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“Working parents have seen childcare fees rocket, as their wages have stagnated.
“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.”
Ellen Broomé, from Coram Family and Childcare, said:
“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,
“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 per cent. Urgent action is needed to make sure all parents are better off working after paying for childcare.”
Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.
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