Childcare costs preventing 300,000 parents returning to work

By The Press Association16th January 2015News EnglandChildcare, News England, Nurseries

More than 300,000 parents have not returned to work because of the UK’s “ineffective” childcare policies, a new report has claimed.

One in four unemployed mothers wanted to work, but childcare costs were stopping them, research by childcare search site Findababysitter.com found.

Cost was the biggest concern, as well as safety, location and availability, a survey of 1,000 parents on childcare found.

Parents in Cambridge, Glasgow, Belfast, Bristol and Cardiff were finding childcare the biggest barrier to work, said the report.

Half of parents said the Government was not doing enough to offer support for the cost of looking after children.

Findababysitter said the study, as well as research among hundreds of childcare professionals, suggested that 300,000 parents had been prevented from returning to work.

Chief executive Tom Harrow said: “The last 12 months have seen very little change when it comes to childcare, and the general feeling towards government hasn’t shifted among the age group most affected – 18 to 32-year-olds.

“In 2015 we want to see more businesses offering better flexible hours and treating mums and dads equally when it comes to childcare. It’s a joint responsibility and that should be reflected in the workplace, especially as the pay gap between men and women continues to reduce.”

Around four out of five parents are in a job, 3% more than last year, the report said, adding that London has the highest number of unemployed parents, while Northern Ireland has the most in work.

A Government spokesman said: “We are doing more than any other government to tackle the cost of childcare, with a record amount of money going to support the youngest children.

“After 12 years of consistently rising childcare prices, costs are stabilising in England and even falling for some types. All three- and four-year-olds now receive 15 hours of free childcare a week, and we have extended this to around 40% of two-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“We are also introducing tax-free childcare, which will give almost two million families up to £2,000 support per child, and from 2016 for working families on the lowest incomes, up to 85% of their childcare costs will be met under Universal Credit.

“In addition, we are taking action to drive up the supply of high-quality childcare, including making it easier for nurseries to expand. We also want to see an increase in the choice for parents and want to see more schools offering childcare before and after lessons.”