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What can be done to stop the upward trajectory of nursery fees and staffing costs that puts universal childcare out of reach? Simon Vevers reports In its ten-year childcare strategy the Government pledged to create universal affordable childcare. Judging by the latest annual survey by the Daycare Trust, it has some way to go. This revealed an average rise of 5.2 per cent in the cost of a nursery place over the past year, and a 17 per cent increase in inner London.

In its ten-year childcare strategy the Government pledged to create universal affordable childcare. Judging by the latest annual survey by the Daycare Trust, it has some way to go. This revealed an average rise of 5.2 per cent in the cost of a nursery place over the past year, and a 17 per cent increase in inner London.

While the average cost of registered childcare in England rose by three times the rate of inflation, the average weekly support towards childcare costs through the childcare element of the working tax credit was just 51.35. Little surprise, then, that the Daycare Trust survey found 89 out of 135 Children's Information Services reporting that parents complained of a lack of quality, affordable childcare in their area.

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