Sharp rise in cost of raising a child – families need more help, says CPAG
25.11.05

The sharp rise in the cost of bringing up children makes a powerful case for higher child benefit and more affordable childcare, according to a leading charity.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) was responding to the latest ‘Cost of a Child’ survey published today by Liverpool Victoria, which showed that on average parents spend £165,668 on raising a child from birth to the age of 21 – the equivalent of £7,889 a year, £657 a month or £22 a day.

Kate Green, Chief Executive of CPAG, said:

“The Liverpool Victoria study shows once again just how expensive it is to bring up children in Britain today. For low-income families, meeting basic costs like food, childcare and school uniforms can be a daily struggle.

“This year’s cost of a child figures make a very strong case for the Government continuing to increase the child element of child tax credit, giving parents more help with childcare costs and raising child benefit much further.

“Although the cost of raising a child has gone up by 8 per cent, income support and child benefit are due to rise by only the standard rate of inflation, which is less than a third of that.

“So in his Pre-Budget Report next month the Chancellor must recognise the extra costs that raising a child can bring. While Gordon Brown has been generous to parents in previous budgets he must give even more support to the millions of families who still struggle to bring up their children and make ends meet.”

CPAG also said it was concerned about the rising costs of a ‘free education’. Recent research published by CPAG, Citizens Advice and other leading charities shows that parents of secondary school pupils spend on average almost £1,000 a year on school clothing, meals, trips and other equipment, as well as textbooks, classroom materials and music lessons.

For further information please contact:
Alex Belardinelli
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
abelardinelli@cpag.org.uk