Childcare up to a third more expensive in London than rest of UK, study finds

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The London Assembly Economy Committee said problems plaguing London’s childcare sector could be exacerbated by chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s new free childcare policy, warning that nurseries and childminders may not be able to handle the surge in demand that his new measures would ignite. High childcare costs and other huge expenses such as housing are pushing family budgets to the brink.” Ms Ahmad, a London Assembly member, warned: “Soaring costs are causing serious concern among parents, who are worried about their ability to save and provide, as well as impacting major life decisions such as whether to have more children.” She said if new measures were not taken to tackle this problem, even more families would be pushed out of London. Parents find it really difficult to secure a place, so much so that the demand for nannies in London is skyrocketing and we have heard from parents who say they try and poach nannies in the school playground.” She attributed the shortage of nursery staff to low wages throughout the childcare sector but explained this is exacerbated by the “added problem of a higher cost of living in the capital”. Which of course is all contributing to a higher gender pay gap in London and it is also contributing to higher levels of child poverty.” Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said: “Of course, while it’s clear that the capital is on the brink of a childcare and early years crisis, we must not forget that providers across the remainder of the country are also grappling with the very same issues.” The Confederation of British Industry has estimated that implementing the government’s expanded childcare plans will cost £8.9bn rather than the £4bn ministers have allocated to fund the increase in places.