Latest news with #childcarecosts
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Call to shorten the length of school summer holidays
The summer school holidays have kicked off, with students across the country set to enjoy six weeks of freedom and hopefully, plenty of sunshine. However, there's a growing debate over whether this lengthy break is beneficial, with factors such as educational attainment, childcare costs for parents, and increased screen time on tablets and mobile phones all playing into the discussion about potentially shortening the longest period of leisure that British youngsters receive. Have your say! Should the school holidays be shortened? Do you think it would help pupils to get higher grades? Is it worth it to reduce the burden on working parents? Comment below, and join in on the conversation. Earlier this year, Ofsted chief Sir Martyn Oliver suggested it might be time to reassess the duration of the school holidays. Speaking to LBC, he said: "I think 190 days of children going in out of 365 - I think the question should be 'is that long enough'?". READ MORE: Coventry police warning to all drivers over 'pinch-and-park' tactic READ MORE: Face of Exhall dealer caught in Bedworth just two days after starting out Sir Martyn warned that pupils could experience "dysregulation" - the loss of good habits, discipline, and structure built up over the academic year. This change could particularly impact vulnerable or disadvantaged children. As part of its recovery strategy following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Tory government contemplated reducing the summer holidays to help students recover from two years of disruption, but this idea was never implemented. Warnings have been issued that children's screen time is set to soar during the summer holidays. A study by Vodafone, as reported by the Daily Star, suggests that youngsters could spend up to four hours a day on mobile devices. This represents a 42% increase in scrolling time compared to when children are in school, according to the report. Parents' concerns range from the potential for devices to disrupt sleep and negatively impact their child's mental health, to the risk of exposure to harmful content. The six-week summer break can pose challenges for working parents who need to organise childcare. Reducing the length of the summer holiday could ease this burden and prove more cost-effective for families. However, such a move could have repercussions for the traditional summer family getaway. Condensing the demand for flights, hotels, and long car journeys into a shorter period could lead to disruption and price hikes, with the cost of family holidays already a contentious issue - not to mention the importance of quality family time. Have your say! Should the school holidays be shortened? Do you think it would help pupils to get higher grades? Is it worth it to reduce the burden on working parents? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Why Fewer Americans Are Having Kids: The Soaring Cost Of Parenthood
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Deciding to have a kid is one of the most personal choices someone can make—it's also one of the most expensive. Between hospital bills, child care and the everyday cost of living, many Americans are finding that starting a family will put a stretch on their finances. According to the CDC, the general fertility rate in the U.S. dropped 3% from 2022 to 2023, reaching a historic low. Between 2014 and 2020, the rate had declined by about 2% yearly, with a brief 1% increase from 2020 to 2021. The recent drop is part of a steady pattern of low or declining birth rates across the country—a trend that has people wondering what it means for the future. The U.S. birth rate has been dropping for years, hitting record lows we haven't seen in decades. There are plenty of reasons for that, from shifting priorities or changing lifestyles, but for many people, it comes down to something simple: having a baby in America just costs too much. A 2024 Pew Research survey found that 41% of adults ages 18 to 39 who don't want children say the high cost of raising a child is a major reason. The U.S. ranks among the most expensive places in the world to give birth, and even with insurance, families often face hefty bills. On average, insured patients pay about $2,854 out of pocket for pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care costs, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker . Without insurance, the price of giving birth can soar past $26,000, depending on the hospital, delivery method and any complications that may arise from giving birth. For many families, that kind of bill is devastating. A 2021 study published in JAMA Network Open found that nearly a quarter of pregnant and postpartum women reported unmet health care needs due to cost underscoring just how tough it is to navigate the financial side of early parenthood in the U.S. health system. The bills start piling up long before the baby arrives. Prenatal care—including OB-GYN visits, ultrasounds, and routine tests—can cost $2,000 to $3,000 without insurance. With coverage, it's usually closer to $250 to $500. Then comes everything else: diapers, wipes, a crib, a car seat, a stroller—the list goes on. The USDA estimated in 2015, the most recent data available, that parents are expected to spend between $12,350 and $13,900 for a child per year—and that was before inflation spiked in recent years. Caring for a newborn is a full-time job—but in the U.S., most parents don't get paid for it. Unlike many other countries, there's no federal guarantee of paid family leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act gives eligible workers take up to 12 weeks off, but it's unpaid. That means many families face a tough choice: take unpaid time off and lose weeks—or months—of income, or return to work sooner than they'd like. Some states like California, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island offer paid leave programs with some wage support. But in most of the country parents must rely on savings or employer policies, if they're lucky to have them. For many, it's an added cost they can't afford at all. If you're planning to have children, choosing the right health insurance plan matters more than ever. Forbes Advisor highlights a handful of strong options worth comparing on coverage, cost and reputation: Health insurance is a big help when it comes to managing the skyrocketing costs of having a baby. Childbirth can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars, but fortunately, insurance companies work out discounted rates with hospitals and doctors, so people with coverage usually pay much less than the full price. Most plans cover essential things like prenatal checkups, ultrasounds, the hospital stay for labor and delivery, and care after birth. While you'll likely still have some out-of-pocket costs like deductibles or copays, those are generally much smaller than the total bill without insurance. Having a baby in the U.S. is expensive—not just financially but emotionally and physically, too. Even when people try to plan, the cost can make parenthood seem out of reach. Still, having the right health insurance can help cover many of those costs—from checkups to delivery and aftercare—making things a bit easier when starting a family.
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Martin Lewis warns families missing out on up to £2000 in childcare support costs a year
Martin Lewis has warned around 800,000 families across the UK could be missing out on up to £2,000 a year to put towards childcare costs. The Money Saving Expert founder explained more about the government's tax-free childcare scheme that can be used to pay for nursery fees, childminders and also summer holiday camps and clubs. For every 80 pence you put in to the tax-free childcare account, the state adds 20 pence. Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday (9 July), the finance expert said: This is about people who are paying for childcare.' He added: 'It can be just summer clubs, if you are paying for childcare in the summer, this works.'
Irish Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
VAT rate for small businesses will be reduced permanently, Tánaiste tells party colleagues
The next Budget will be an 'expansionary package' with plans to permanently reduce the VAT rate for small businesses, the Tánaiste has said. Simon Harris told the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday that Budget 2026 would be 'responsible and responsive', according to a source present. The Tánaiste is understood to have told those present that he and his party colleagues remembered 'very well' what the party canvassed on in the lead up to the general election. Among the measures discussed was a permanent reduction in the VAT rate for small businesses. READ MORE This was alongside remarks by Mr Harris that childcare fees for many families are 'like a second mortgage'. He told colleagues these costs must be 'permanently reduced' over the lifetime of the Government. He added that the cost of education, across all levels, must be reduced alongside healthcare costs, while 'significant progress' must be made in children's disability services and special education. Separately, the Fine Gael leader said he supported calls for post offices to receive €15 million per year in funding for the next five years. A report earlier this year from Grant Thornton found that the post office network requires this level of funding per year until 2030, without which the State faces the prospect of 'rapid, unrestrained closures', which would risk 'irreparable financial, economic and social harm'. Direct funding of €10 million annually from the State is due to expire at the end of this year. An Oireachtas committee on Wednesday heard that up to 400 post offices could close if the State does not increase aid.
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Experts hacks for helping parents with children save money
Families are facing significant financial strain due to persistent inflation and escalating childcare expenses, making strategic budgeting crucial. Experts advise regularly reviewing personal finances, checking for better deals on services like insurance and streaming, and actively switching providers for utilities such as broadband and energy. To reduce spending on children's items and activities, families should embrace pre-loved goods, utilize loyalty cards and railcards for discounts on days out, and seek out free local events. Parents should explore available support for school expenses, including council uniform grants and school-recycled uniform schemes. Significant government support is available for childcare costs, such as tax-free childcare and Universal Credit childcare claims, which many eligible families are not currently utilizing.
