FAMILIES are spending up to half of their income on childcare costs, a charity reported yesterday.

The cost of 25 hours of nursery care for a child under two years old now costs around £116 per week on average, totalling over £6,000 per year, according to Family and Childcare Trust research.

The charity also warned that there is a shortage of childcare provision in some parts of England, affecting half of parents working full-time.

Its deputy chief executive Ellie Broome said: “Many parents are effectively shut out of the workplace by crippling childcare costs.”

It also states the need for greater access to childcare for children with special educational needs or disabilities.

Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said: “The Tories are failing to deliver fair, affordable and sustainable childcare for hardworking families.

“The survey shows that the Tory election promise to provide 30 hours of free childcare is now in further trouble.”