School clubs ‘out of reach for parents’
PARENTS squeezed by the cost of living crisis can’t afford to sent children to after-school clubs, says Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
Speaking at the NAHT teaching union conference in Telford, Shrops, the Labour frontbencher accused the Government of “failing children” and allowing attainment gaps to open up due to cost.
She said: “For too many parents the cost of those activities is more than they earn in that time, denying children the opportunities and activities that complement classroom teaching, which build resilience.”
Labour analysis shows the cost of a week of afterschool clubs has risen 17% in five years to an average of £66.75, while wages rose 15% over the same period.