Bristol parents are set to save an estimated £34.5 million over the coming school year thanks to Labour's expanded funded childcare, according to new figures from Bristol Labour.
The analysis, based on the latest Department for Education data, covers 4,307 eligible children aged nine months to two in Bristol after the funded entitlement for working parents doubled from 15 to 30 hours last September.
National research has found government-funded childcare has roughly halved costs for families, with working parents saving an average of £8,000 a year. Coram Family and Childcare's annual survey found the cost of a full-time place for a child under two has fallen by 52% compared with 2024 — from about £305 a week to £149 — taking part-time costs back to 2005 levels.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Government is also lifting the two-child cap, expanding free school meals and rolling out free breakfast clubs alongside the 30-hour offer.
Tom Renhard: 'Labour is fighting back'
Councillor Tom Renhard, Leader of Bristol Labour, said childcare had been too expensive for too long.
"Childcare costs have been too high for too long – but Labour is fighting back. By rolling out 30 hours funded childcare to children aged 9 months to 2 years old, we are helping Bristol parents save an average of £8,000 for each child – that's a huge help with the cost of living.
"Under Andy Burnham, Labour is working hard to give Bristol families breathing space as we tackle the cost of living crisis, and to bring back hope. And that's exactly what we will do."
