The article highlights the ongoing challenges faced by nurseries in the UK due to a recent hike in national insurance contributions, which has led to almost all nurseries planning fee increases. With childcare costs already among the highest globally, one in six nurseries could suffer losses this year. Despite a modest 4% increase in government funding for childcare providers, it significantly lags behind the rising staffing costs, creating a strain on both providers and families. The Independent underscores its commitment to delivering accessible journalism on critical issues like these.
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The government's hike in employer national insurance contributions (NICs) has left 96 per cent of nurseries planning to increase fees, while UK parents already face some of the highest childcare costs in the world.
According to a survey of 728 nurseries nationwide by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), one in six estimate that they will make a loss this year due to tax hikes.
Funding rates for childcare will increase by just 4 per cent on average, while nursery staffing costs will increase by an average of 15 per cent, according to the NDNA.
#childcare-costs #uk-government-policy #national-insurance-contributions #journalism #reproductive-rights
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