A national demonstration demanding affordable childcare, improvements in parental leave and flexible working hours is coming to Bristol next month. The national protest where parents and campaigners will gather in 11 cities wearing Halloween fancy dress, is organised by Pregnant then Screwed .
In 2019 the OECD listed the UK as the second most expensive country for childcare costs and with the lowest paid maternity pay in Europe. A recent survey published by Pregnant then Screwed and Mumsnet of 27,000 parents found that the majority were paying more for childcare than rent.
Former Bristol City councillor Mhairi Threlfall who is organising the Bristol demonstration described finding childcare “a nightmare” after going back to work in May. Alongside the physical and emotional pressure of being a new mother were the high fees and lack of childcare available. By the time her second childminder pulled out and her son still had no nursery place, Mhairi was in tears having to pull together last minute childcare arrangements so she could keep her job.
