New analysis carried out by the Labour Party shows, they claim, that under David Cameron the cost of childcare during the summer holidays has spiralled by 16 per cent - four times faster than wages. Labour say this means that parents facing a cost-of-living crisis will have to fork out an additional £100 per child for their summer childcare, compared to 2010.
Labour also say that alongside soaring costs, the availability of holiday childcare has nearly halved – now just 27 per cent of councils have enough holiday childcare for parents who work full-time compared to 49 per cent in 2009.
Shadow Minister for Childcare and Children, Lucy Powell, commented: “Under David Cameron childcare costs are soaring and the availability of childcare is plummeting, causing a summer of misery for many parents trying to balance work and family life in the holidays. But while families facing a cost-of-living crisis come under more and more pressure, this Government has no plan to support families struggling with their childcare before the next election. Parents always tell me that the summer holidays present a big challenge yet the government has pulled the rug from under much of the provision which previously existed."
Commenting on what the Labour party have put forward an alternative, Ms Powell said: “Labour’s vision for childcare will make work pay and boost the economy. Our pledge to increase free childcare for working parents with three and four-year-olds from 15 to 25 hours a week worth £1500 per child – will be a real boost to parents struggling to pay for childcare throughout the year.”
