The high cost of childcare in London is leading to single parents being “locked out” of work, a study has revealed.
Thousands are unable to work full time due to childcare costs, which are more than a third higher than other parts of the country, research by the charity Gingerbread found.
One in six single parents are under employed as a result and the problem is not being address by the government, the charity warned.
The research also showed that half of single parents in the capital are forced to borrow money to pay to have their children looked after while they work.
A single parent in London will spend half their income, after housing costs, on a nursery place for a child under the age of two.
Gingerbread called on London Mayoral candidates to commit to supporting its campaign to help parents find work.
Chief executive Fiona Weir said: “Making childcare affordable is essential for supporting more single parents back into the jobs market and ensuring that it pays to work. Not least because work is still deemed to be the best route out of poverty.
“Our analysis shows that supporting single parents into work not only benefits families, but also the Exchequer. A 5 per cent increase in single parents’ employment rate could generate £436mn a year as a result of increased tax revenue and reduced benefits.
“This scheme would also provide a much-needed leg-up for the thousands of pre-school parents working in London.
“We’re calling on Mayoral candidates to support Gingerbread’s plan and plug a gap that’s currently not being addressed by any level of government or agency.”