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The Independent
6 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Families facing childcare bill of up to £1,800 per child this summer
Childcare costs over the six-week summer break could cost working parents as much as £1,800, a charity has revealed. A survey by the children's charity Coram found while the average British parent will need to fork out £234 a week for a holiday childminder, in inner London it costs £306 a week – that's £1,800 for six weeks. It's the first time the annual survey has included childminder costs during the holidays alongside data on availability of places in childcare clubs provided by local authorities. Childcare costs have risen by 4 per cent across England, Wales and Scotland over the past year. But it's not just the cost of care that makes the six-week break harder for families, it's the lack of holiday childcare available. The survey found only 9 per cent of councils in England had enough spaces for at least 75 per cent of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in their area. But this figure is even more stark in East Midlands, the East of England and inner London with no councils able to offer places to two thirds of children with SEND. Many councils do not have a clear picture of whether they have enough holiday childcare for the children in their area, with at least half responding 'data not held or cannot tell' for availability questions in the survey. However, where this information is known, those with older children, parents working atypical hours and children with SEND have the least availability of childcare. Lydia Hodges, Head of Coram Family and Childcare, said: 'The need for childcare doesn't finish at the end of term. Holiday childcare not only helps parents to work but gives children the chance to have fun, make friends and stay active during the school breaks. Yet all too often it is missing from childcare conversations. 'Whilst the increase in government -funded early education has reduced childcare costs for working parents of under-fives in England, prices for Holiday Childcare are going up for school-age children. This risks encouraging parents to work while their children are young, only to find it is not sustainable once their child starts school.' Ms Hodges argues childcare is an ongoing issue and following the survey the charity cannot be sure children, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities, are not missing out. 'We need a system that meets the needs of all children, with the ongoing security of free holiday childcare for disadvantaged families and timely help with bills for those who need it, so that no child misses out during school holidays,' she added. The charity is calling on the government to maintain the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme after March 2026 to make sure disadvantaged children have affordable childcare during school holidays. It also wants to see additional funding to holiday childcare providers to meet the needs of children with SEND and childcare made available to fit a range of parental working patterns.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Childminder costs over school summer holidays as high as £1,800, research finds
Working parents who depend on childminders to look after their children during the British school summer holidays face bills of as much as £1,800 for six weeks' childcare, according to new research. A survey by the children's charity Coram found families in inner London can expect to pay an average of £306 a week for a holiday childminder, compared with a British average of £234 a week. Holiday childminder costs in Wales and Scotland are marginally higher – £249 and £238 a week respectively compared with £233 in England – but British families will have to find about £1,400 to cover the six-week break. It is the first time the survey, now in its 20th year, has included childminder costs during the holidays, which are published alongside annual data provided by local authorities on the cost and availability of places in holiday childcare clubs. The latest data reveals holiday childcare club costs in England, Wales and Scotland have risen by 4% in the last year, with working parents now facing an average bill of £179 per child per week – more than two and a half times the cost of term-time after-school clubs – totalling £1,075 for the six-week break. It also reveals significant shortages of places, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). In England, only 9% of councils have sufficient places for 75% of children with Send in their area. In the East Midlands, the east of England and inner London, not a single council could meet that commitment. Coram said many councils in England did not have a clear picture of whether they had enough holiday childcare, with half or more responding 'data not held or cannot tell'. Lydia Hodges, the head of Coram Family and Childcare, said: 'The need for childcare doesn't finish at the end of term. Holiday childcare not only helps parents to work but gives children the chance to have fun, make friends and stay active during the school breaks. 'Whilst the increase in government-funded early education has reduced childcare costs for working parents of under-fives in England, prices for holiday childcare are going up for school-age children. This risks encouraging parents to work while their children are young, only to find it is not sustainable once their child starts school.' She added: 'Availability of holiday childcare is an ongoing issue and without a clear picture of how much holiday childcare there is in each area, we cannot be sure that children – particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities – are not missing out.' The charity is calling on the government to provide more funding, training and support to holiday childcare providers to meet the needs of children with Send. Arooj Shah, the chair of the Local Government Association's children and young people board, said: 'While councils recognise the importance of ensuring there is sufficient provision available for children with Send, it can be difficult to ensure the right provision is available, particularly given the challenging situation that many providers face at the moment. 'Councils work closely with providers to improve access to holiday childcare provision for children with Send, but without investment and recruitment of quality staff this will be difficult to deliver.' A government spokesperson said: 'We recognise the school holidays can be a pressurised time for parents, which is why this government is putting pounds back in parents' pockets both during the holidays and in term time. 'We are expanding free school meals to all children whose households are on universal credit, introducing free breakfast clubs in primary schools, and rolling out 30 government funded hours of early education from September – saving families money and helping them balance work with family life. 'We are also continuing to fund free holiday clubs through the Holiday Activities and Food programme which provides six weeks of activities and meals for any child from a low-income family who needs it.'
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Summer holiday clubs now cost an average of £1,076 per child
Summer holiday clubs to cover Britain's six-week school break now cost parents an average of £1,076 per child, new figures price varies by region with some areas seeing hikes of up to 13% on last year, according to research by children's charity demand and a lack of cheaper council-run activities are driving up prices, it found."It's the amount you'd spend going on holiday, but you're working and you don't get to see your child," says mother Chiara Del Vescovo. Most families depend on some form of childcare for part of the school holidays as an increasing number of households have two parents in full-time work and it is less common to live close to true for Manchester mum Chiara as she and her partner try to juggle work alongside looking after their seven-year-old daughter. "We are trying to co-ordinate with her friends so they can spend a few days in a holiday club together, but it's difficult and expensive, especially if you go for the full day," she says. Last year, the average cost for a child in full-time holiday clubs for six weeks was £1,045, Coram year, Wales has seen a 6% increase and has the most expensive holiday clubs at £209.60 per week. Yorkshire and the Humber recorded the biggest jump in price, up 13% this year to £194.41 per week. Gilly Balfour is in charge of free holiday activities at Z-arts Children's Centre, in Manchester and says she understands why costs have had to increase for many providers. "Art materials have gone up, food for lunches is up, we want to make sure that we're paying people well and have to get the correct ratios in terms of adults to children," she says "so you've got to factor in the whole cost."In every area, childminders play a crucial role in plugging gaps in care, especially outside of normal school hours, but this data shows that they are, on average, £55 a week more than holiday clubs. Stretch to pay upfront For parents on Universal Credit, help is available through the childcare element of the benefit - but not in time to pay for clubs upfront. The benefit is paid in arrears, so many families find it a stretch to pay for holiday clubs in advance before their childcare payment arrives four weeks Anwar works part-time as a nurse in Reading and says paying for summer childcare for her two children simply isn't an option. She is taking annual leave to cover as much as she can, and feels fortunate to have got her 14-year-old daughter into a free camp run by the organisation Sport in Mind. "They're getting out in the fresh air. It's good for them so they're not glued to their phones. That's always my worry. I want her to experience different things, and they provide fruit and a healthy lunch," she says. Lack of places In England, that free care is paid for by the Holiday Activities and Food programme. It funds local authorities to provide holiday clubs for children on free school meals. However, places on council-run schemes are often oversubscribed, and these figures suggest that on average private holiday clubs cost 21% more than those run by are fewer holiday club places for children over seven, and availability drops significantly for children over with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) of any age have even fewer options available. Just 9% of local authorities in England said they had enough provision for 75% of children with SEND in their area. 'Year-round reality' The Local Government Association says: "While councils recognise the importance of ensuring there is sufficient provision available for children with SEND, it can be difficult to ensure the right provision is available, particularly given the challenging situation that many providers face at the moment."Lydia Hodges is head of Coram Family and Childcare, and says that for many families, there are no other options. "It's absolutely vital for parents to take work, to stay in work, and for children to be engaged in something positive during the school holidays," she says."So we think it's vital that we address the true reality of the situation of working childcare and that reality is a year-round one." Ways to save money on childcare Flexible working All employees have a right to ask for it and if granted changing your hours could save you money on childcareUnpaid leave It's not ideal to lose pay but many of us would pay more in childcare through the holidays than we would earn at workPooling childcare Agreeing a rota with other parents might be a handful but could save you all money and be fun for the credit childcare funding Working families with this benefit can claim up to £1,031.88 a month for one child or £1,768.94 for two or moreHoliday activities and food programme Local authorities offer free summer clubs for children in England who receive benefits-related free school mealsTax-free childcare accounts These can be used to pay for many registered Ofsted holiday clubs, and the government adds £2 for every £8 you put more: What childcare help is available?
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Reports reveal ‘significant harm' caused by UK's family visa rules
British citizens are facing significant challenges due to the UK's family visa rules, particularly the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR). David Todd, a British father-to-be, says he feels "completely helpless" and like a "second-class citizen" because his American wife's income cannot be counted towards the threshold. New reports from charities Reunite Families UK and Coram detail the "significant emotional and psychological harm" inflicted by the policy, including long-term separation of children from parents and discrimination against certain groups. The Migration Advisory Committee recently reviewed the MIR, warning against raising it to the higher skilled worker threshold of £38,700. Advocates are urging the government to reform the system by abolishing or reducing the MIR, simplifying application processes, and allowing spouses' incomes to contribute to the requirement to prevent family separation.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UK family visa rules spark outcry as families face forced separation
British citizens are calling on the government to change family visa rules that risk separating them from their partners and children. The demand for reform follows new findings from charities Reunite Families UK and Coram, which show that current visa income requirements are forcing some British families to live apart, as per a report by The Independent. The UK's Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) was raised from £18,600 to £29,000 in 2024 and remains one of the highest among developed countries, according to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). The committee has advised against raising the threshold further to £38,700, the level currently required for skilled workers, warning that it would have a serious impact on family reunification. David Todd, a 33-year-old British citizen living in Germany, shared how visa restrictions could force him to return to the UK without his American wife, Claire, and their soon-to-be-born child. The couple cannot meet the financial threshold required under current family visa rules, which expect the British partner to earn at least £29,000 per year or show savings above £88,500. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo Todd said to PA News agency, 'It's like we're second-class citizens because we married someone who fell in love with someone who wasn't British.' He urged the government to either scrap or reduce the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR), which is now under review. Todd and his wife, both classical musicians, had hoped to return to the UK to raise their child near family. However, because his wife's income, though sufficient and earned remotely, does not count toward the visa requirement, they remain stuck. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) The report by Reunite Families UK and Coram concluded that the current rules are financially and emotionally damaging. Families often face long-term separation, and children may suffer psychological harm. The report also noted that the MIR disproportionately affects British women, working-class individuals, and ethnic minorities who are more likely to earn below the threshold. Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ UK may ease family visa income rule after 'Tax on Love' criticism Lowering UK family visa income bar may raise net migration; says advisory panel « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT According to the Independent news report, Caroline Coombs, Executive Director of Reunite Families UK, said: 'Simple and practical changes from the Home Office could make significant differences to families, starting with scrapping the MIR and simplifying the rules and application process.' She added, 'These rules have become the tax on love. People are suffering and want to be heard.' The Home Office has not yet responded to the findings or public calls for reform.
