We are a group of students at the University of Brighton, campaigning to raise awareness of the lack of affordable childcare in England.

As of 2024, the average part-time childcare cost is £158 per week per child, up 7% since 2023. This isn’t an issue that only impacts those in the lowest income bracket, with many families now paying more on childcare services than on their rent or mortgage, leaving working and non-working parents financially crippled. 

Whilst the current UK childcare policies provide Tax-free childcare (20p for every £1 parents put into a specific account for registered childcare) and universal credit. These are only available to certain income thresholds, it takes time to process claims and factors, such as class and gender can limit the accessibility of these provisions to certain groups. 

Given the extent of this issue, we strongly recommend that the government revises their childcare cost policies to make it more affordable for all.