As the rain bounced off the pavement outside Manchester Central Library this morning, loud cheers could be heard echoing from St Peter's Square.
Hundreds of parents - mostly mothers and their friends - braved the wet weather to come together and demand better childcare affordability and accessibility in the UK.
Signs and banners saying 'childcare is not a luxury' and 'mat leave is not a holiday' could be seen populating the square as speakers took to the stage to share their own experiences of being pushed out of work due to the eye-watering cost of childcare.
