Childcare in the UK is among the most expensive in the world, with parents spending an average of two thirds of their salary on nursery costs for children under two. Host Claer Barrett speaks to Joeli Brealey, author and founder of campaign group Pregnant then Screwed, about why the UK childcare system is in crisis. She also hears from Megan Jarvie, the head of Coram Family and Childcare, about how to navigate a complicated system of government support for families with young children. Plus, mother Jess tells Claer how unaffordable nursery costs pushed her out of full-time work..

Money Clinic is keen to hear from listeners. If you would like to get in touch, please email us at money@FT.com or DM Claer on social media. She is @ClaerB on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

Want more?

England’s childcare in crisis as costs rise and staff leave https://www.ft.com/content/f07886fa-becc-4491-88e0-dbfe2c07c225

What’s driving the rich world’s falling fertility? https://www.ft.com/content/2f90b924-3122-4548-85fa-4c5a775c2cae

Childcare: female-led social enterprises tackle dysfunctional system https://www.ft.com/content/d576fedd-6577-4c4c-98ac-f3c73fcf6346

Joeli Brearley and Pregnant then Screwed can be found at https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/

Further details on childcare options in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, can be found here: https://www.familyandchildcaretrust.org/help-your-childcare-costs

To download the FT Edit app, click here https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1574510369?pt=246269&ct=FT-E-22Q4-HAD-AD-US-Anon&mt=8

Presented by Claer Barrett. Produced by Persis Love and Philippa Goodrich. Executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design is by Breen Turner, with original music from Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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