Childcare costs have spiralled for two-thirds of UK parents, survey shows

Parents report high anxiety as unaffordable' fees exacerbate cost of living crisis

The crisis in the UK childcare sector has been laid bare by two major surveys, with campaigners saying young families and struggling providers are being ignored by ministers as the cost of living crisis spirals.

Both surveys suggest childcare fees are increasing to an unmanageable level, with two-thirds of 27,000 parents reporting rising childcare costs in the past six months, and a similar percentage of providers confirming increases.