Childcare costs rise

Childcare costs have increased by more than the rate of inflation in the last year, according to the latest survey from childcare charity Daycare Trust.

The typical cost of a nursery place for a child under two has risen to £134 a week, up from £128 a week in 2003 - a rise of nearly 5%. This compares to an average household income of £562 a week.

In some parts of the country, particularly London and the South East, the cost of a nursery place is much higher - typically £168 a week in Inner London. The typical cost of a full-time place with a childminder for a child under two is £120 a week (the average cost rises to £137 in Inner London and to £149 in East England).