Childcare is more expensive than a university degree, according to a new survey.

The government’s Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents 2019 reports a rise in the number of families that found it “difficult” or “very difficult” to meet childcare costs.

Research by childcare platform Yoopies UK reveals the UK is in the top three most expensive countries for childcare in Europe, surpassing the price of UK university tuition fees.

Government research published yesterday revealed that over one-quarter (27 per cent) of parents found meeting childcare costs “difficult or very difficult, a rise from 23 per cent in 2018.

Well under half of parents surveyed (42 per cent) rated the affordability of local childcare as “very or fairly good”.

The study reveals that British parents pay far more than their European neighbours.

Without taking government aid schemes into account, the UK is the second most expensive country for childminding services, with parents forking out on average £858 a month.

Yoopies UK said: “There is a big difference between the average price of care on our UK site vs our other sites in France, Spain and Germany. Even after Government-aid deductions, parents can expect to pay more than double than that of their European counterparts.”

UK Childcare Benefits: The Most Inaccessible in Europe?

Not only are Government aid schemes less beneficial for parents in the UK than in Europe, obtaining financial aid is a lengthy and unclear process for parents in the UK as well.

The government revealed the most common reason for not applying to the 30 hours scheme, was that they “didn’t think they were eligible.”