MANY families in Southern and Eastern England are feeling a financial squeeze, and childcare costs are a major part of that.

The latest research from the Labour Party, gathered through FOI requests and mapped by the Taskforce, shows the average weekly cost of a childminder here, which is often well above the national average.

The latest report from Liverpool Victoria shows the South East, South West and East of England are the most expensive regions outside of London to raise a family, with average households spending over a quarter of their income on nursery fees.

Last year the Southern Taskforce highlighted the increasing cost of childcare for families in Southern and Eastern England, as well as the rising price of extra childcare over the school holidays.

These costs are rising at the same time wages are down £1,600 a year, squeezing already low income families and pricing some out of their job. ASDA’s recent Mumdex survey showed childcare costs prevent 7 in 10 stay-at-home mums in the south of England from working.

Children and families are paying the price for this government’s cost of living crisis. David Cameron and Nick Clegg are hitting hard working families with a triple whammy in childcare - reduced support, fewer places and spiralling costs for working mums and dads. Hard pressed families need help with the costs of childcare right now. Yet while David Cameron and Nick Clegg have cut taxes for millionaires, they won’t provide any further support to help families with the costs of childcare until the election.

Since the last election the cost of a nursery place has risen by 31 per cent – five times faster than pay. There are 628 fewer Sure Start children’s centres under David Cameron, and 40,000 fewer childcare places. The Government has taken £7billion a year of support for children and families, while their promised help won’t arrive until after the General Election. One in three councils don’t have enough places to deliver the Government’s promised childcare for disadvantaged two year olds.