Labour has plans to tackle the childcare crunch

As parents begin another week managing work and family life, many will be dismayed that yet again the Government is in denial about the problems they face.

Childcare costs are a key part of the cost-of-living crisis facing families. David Cameron’s childcare crunch is underlined in a report for Findababysitter.com revealing that childcare costs have risen by 19% in the last 12 months. Against a backdrop of stagnant wages, this means hard-pressed mums and dads continue to struggle with bills, while Ministers do nothing to support families.

The report also finds that 24% of parents not in work are prevented from getting a job because of high childcare costs. While Ministers bury their heads in the sand and the evidence mounts that higher childcare costs and reduced availability of places continue to act as a major drag on the economy, it is up to Labour to speak for families and provide the solutions they demand.

Time and again, when we raise the costs of childcare to Ministers they refuse to acknowledge there’s an issue. Parents know the facts: nursery costs have risen five times faster than wages since the election.

Yet, while David Cameron offers no help to families with rising costs, he gives millionaires a tax cut.

Labour has plans to tackle the childcare crunch. We will extend free childcare for three and four year olds from 15 to 25 hours per week for working parents. The value of this extra childcare support is over £1,500 per child per year.

Tackling the problems parents face finding reliable before-and-after school care is also key to helping them juggle work and family. That’s why Labour’s primary childcare guarantee will make a difference, ensuring parents have the right to wraparound childcare in their school or nearby.

Parents know the reality of increasing childcare bills because they are hit in the pocket – and Labour gets this too.

Childcare is fast becoming one of the key issues for the next election. Labour understands the struggles that families face and we’re coming up with plans to address them. Simply saying there isn’t a problem is going to cost Ministers dear.

Lucy Powell is Labour’s Shadow Minister for Childcare and Children