Childcare up to a third more expensive in London than rest of UK, study finds

Childcare costs are up to a third higher in London than the rest of the UK, with severe staff shortages and the soaring cost of living to blame, a study has found.

The report, by the London Assembly Economy Committee, found that London has the most expensive childcare costs in the country, with pressured parents forced to fork out between 25 and 33 per cent more in the capital.

Researchers warned the high costs mean it makes no financial sense for some parents to work and that this negatively affects women’s careers as well as London’s