Education secretary orders review of hidden childcare costs for parents
The Education Secretary has initiated a review of hidden childcare costs that parents face when accessing government-funded services. Many families report being asked to pay additional fees despite being entitled to free childcare hours. The review aims to address these extra charges and improve access to childcare for working parents.
- ▪Bridget Phillipson has urged the competition watchdog to investigate hidden charges faced by parents accessing government-funded childcare.
- ▪Eligible working parents are entitled to 30 hours of free childcare per week for children aged between nine months and four years old.
- ▪A survey revealed that over a quarter of parents cited cost as the primary barrier to accessing preferred childcare options.
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NewsUKUK PoliticsEducation secretary orders review of hidden childcare costs for parents‘Too many’ families report being asked to pay additional feesEllie Ng Tuesday 26 May 2026 09:17 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2983459","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nursery-costs-childcare-bridget-phillipson-cma-b2983459.html","title":"Education secretary orders review of hidden childcare costs for parents"}}Martin Lewis explains financial help available to ease childcare costsYour support helps us to tell the…
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