Charity criticises lack of UK summer childcare as cost rises to nearly £900

Little over a quarter of English local authorities have enough holiday childcare places available for parents in their area who work full time. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA

Families will have to fork out almost £900 for six weeks of holiday childcare for each school-age child, according to a survey – a 5% increase on last year’s prices.

The average place at a holiday club now costs £148 a week, which is more than double what parents pay for an after-school club during term time, according to the charity Coram Family and Childcare.