£135-a-week for summer childcare

WORKING parents will have to pay on average £135 per week for childcare this summer holiday after a 5 per cent rise on last year’s costs.

The cost for two children over the entire six-week break will be over £1,600 and over £2,400 for three children.

The figures, for families in England, come in an annual survey by the Family and Childcare Trust, which is campaigning on rising costs.

As children break up for the six-week holidays, it will be alarming news for families already managing stretched budgets. In Wales costs have risen by 4 per cent to £125 per week, while in Scotland, they are up by 1 per cent to £124.

Ellen Broome, Family and Childcare Trust chief executive, said: ‘For too many families, the long summer holiday is a time of stress and expense.’

Children and families minister Nadhim Zahawi said: ‘This government is doing more than any before to support parents with the cost of childcare.’