There is simply not enough nursery provision in the area. Therefore it is rather expensive.

With needing childcare in order to work, a HUGE amount of the wage goes onto it. The new government is reducing already token help working people had towards the childcare costs, and thus forcing people to give up work to look after their children. The effect is the worst in London because wages and costs are higher here, but we are considered to have 'broader shoulders' and help / penalties applied (for being 40% taxpayer) without taking into account that wages are at premium because of premium housing and other costs.

I dare ask what was the point of my education if I have to give up working once I have children. I was always amazed by number of families were only one parent was working and I wrongly assumed this choice was sacrifice of lost income in order to spend time with their children. I now see that lots of families' second income is often unaffordable.

If children are growing up where one parent is not working, they may be inclined to shy away from hard work once they grow up. Certainly if the family is struggling they may decide it is better to struggle on benefits than struggle while working. Hence not really helping parents to work has far reaching consequences for the society. I base this assumption by trying to understand why so many young people are not interested in 'fruit picking'.

As it turns out my hourly charge rate is quite considerably above the minimum wage, and I have worked out that working 1 possibly 2 days a week I will be as much well of as working full time. If I work more than this, childcare, tarave costs and tax take far to great proportion of the extra money earned. I consider myself lucky that I can make living on one day’s work. This living tough is on rather reduced scale I was accustomed before I had children. I HATE the system that does not allow me to be better off by working more.

The solution seems to be that it is in society's interest the childcare should be fully funded when both parents are in work. That way parents contribute by paying tax (rather than being on benefits), positive attitude towards work is developed so that phrase IT DOESN'T PAY TO WORK is not applicable to anyone.

Then there will be just a minor point of having enough work for all that want it. Come to think of it, it is far easier to blame 'work shy' for all the ills in the society.