Jul252017

Cost of holiday childcare has risen by over 50 per cent since 2010, Labour analysis shows

Labour
  • Labour analysis shows that the weekly cost of holiday childcare has risen by
    over 50 per cent across the UK;
  • Greater London, the North East, and the West Midlands are the worst affected
    areas;
  • Over the same period, official figures suggest that wages are lower in real
    terms than they were in May 2010 when the Conservatives took office.

Labour
analysis shows that, across Britain as a whole, the average weekly cost of
childcare has risen by over 50 per cent from 2010 to 2017.

In the
North East, the worst affected area, the average weekly cost of childcare has
more than doubled, while the West Midlands has seen an increase of 82 per cent
and Greater London an increase of 73 per cent.

Over the
same period, official figures suggest that average weekly earnings have fallen
in real terms, leaving working families paying a greater proportion of their
income to cover the cost of childcare.

Angela
Rayner MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, speaking at a visit to the
Wishing Well community project in Crewe, will say:

“The Tories are quite simply failing working parents, who
are seeing the cost of their childcare skyrocket, their wages fall, and their
Government failing to give them the support they need.

“Childcare costs have shot up since the Conservatives took office
in 2010, and both wages and Government support have failed to keep pace with
either the cost of childcare or the needs of families.”

Jul252017

Press release: Foreign Secretary arrives in Sydney for AUKMIN 2017

HM Government

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arrives in Australia to attend the annual meeting of UK and Australian Foreign and Defence Ministers

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arrives in Australia today (Tuesday 25 July 2017) to attend AUKMIN, the annual meeting of UK and Australian Foreign and Defence Ministers, which will take place on Thursday. The Secretaries of State will discuss regional security and defence, East Asia, the future of Europe, terrorism and promoting our common values.

During the visit he will also:

  • Meet with Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, to discuss the bilateral relationship, cyber security and the Commonwealth

  • Deliver the Lowy Institute’s annual Lowy Lecture on Thursday evening, speaking about the UK-Australia relationship, Britain in Asia and Britain in the world

  • Take a tour of the Sydney Opera House, and meet with representatives of UK company Laing O’Rourke, who are currently refurbishing the Opera House

  • Visit the Tyro Fintech hub, to promote collaboration between the UK and Australian fintech sectors

  • Meet with the leaders of top UK investors in Australia, and with major Australian investors in the UK to discuss UK-Australia trade and business opportunities

The Foreign Secretary said:

The bonds of kinship between Britain and Australia are deep and enduring. It is fantastic to be back in Australia, my first time as Foreign Secretary. Our relationship is based on shared history, interests and values, with large numbers of our nationals making each other’s countries home.

I look forward to strengthening even further our partnerships on global challenges and opportunities, such as North Korea, the fight against extremism and terror, modern slavery and trade. Talks with businesses and government on boosting trade between us when we leave the EU will also be at the top of agenda. I can’t wait to catch up with old friends and to make new ones.

The Foreign Secretary’s visit to Australia is the last stop in a three country trip. He held two days of positive talks in Japan last week, before moving on to New Zealand and finally Australia.

Further information