New analysis by the Labour Party shows that, under David Cameron, the cost of childcare during the summer holidays has spiralled by £110 per child in Yorkshire and Humber.

Comparisons with latest wages data shows the cost of summer holiday childcare has increased almost eight times faster than wages since 2010.

The rise seen in Yorkshire and Humber is higher than the 16% (or £100) increase seen across England as a whole.

The figures analysed are for the cost of private, independent or voluntary childcare provision -; which is used by more than three quarters of children accessing summer holiday childcare. At the same time, the availability of maintained holiday childcare has nearly halved -; now just 27% of councils across England have enough holiday childcare for parents who work full-time compared to 49% in 2009. This means more and more parents face no option but to utilise the available private, independent or voluntary provision despite the inflated prices.

Paula Sherriff, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Dewsbury, said:

“Under David Cameron childcare costs are soaring and the availability of childcare is plummeting, causing a summer of misery for many parents trying to balance work and family life in the holidays. But whilst families facing a cost-of-living crisis come under more and more pressure, this Government has no plan to support families struggling with their childcare before the next election.

“Parents always tell me that the summer holidays present a big challenge yet the government has pulled the rug from under much of the provision which previously existed.

“Labour’s vision for childcare will make work pay and boost the economy. Our pledge to increase free childcare for working parents with three and four year olds from 15 to 25 hours -; worth £1,500 per child -; will be a real boost to parents struggling to pay for childcare throughout the year.”