Mon, 14 Apr 2025

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 Parents 'punished' by highest childcare costs in Britain

Childcare costs for parents of under-twos in Wales are more expensive than anywhere else in Britain.
Parents with children under two do not receive government help with childcare costs, whereas in England parents can claim 15 hours of free childcare a week for children aged between nine months and two years. A Coram survey found the cost of part-time nursery care for under-twos in Wales is £155 per week, compared to £70 in England after funded hours are taken into account. Coram's Lydia Hodges said: "These bills that many families simply cannot afford - and risk keeping parents locked out of the workplace." Oxfam Cymru's Sarah Rees added: "Families in Wales are really being punished in comparison to the offers being provided to families who need childcare in England." In England, funded hours start from nine months, making bills for families half those in Wales. A survey by Coram found that 60% of two-year-old families were not accessing the Flying Start programme, which provides 12.5 hours free care per week. The Welsh government has invested over £100m a year to support childcare, but Oxfam Cymru says this is not enough. Childcare costs have made it hard for parents to go back to work, with one mum saying: "Even with my husband working full-time every day, it's still expensive and hard to get back into work." The Welsh Labour government said they are providing an additional £50m in 2025-26 for the expansion of childcare schemes. Oxfam Cymru is calling for more help for two-year-old families, saying the Flying Start programme should be rolled out "much quicker". Nursery owner Lisa Owen said her costs had gone up and she was losing money providing free care for three and four year olds through the Childcare Offer.
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