The findings, published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, state that couples working full time on the living wage of £7.20 an hour, do not reach the minimum standard if they are paying for full-time childcare.
The organisation is urging the Government to undertake a ‘radical reform’ of the childcare system, to lighten the burden on lower paid families for whom childcare is among the ‘biggest barriers to reaching a decent living standard in modern Britain’.
The shortfall exists despite the fact some necessities such as food and fuel becoming cheaper in the past two years, according to the findings from the foundation’s Minimum Income Standard research, carried out by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
