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The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment  in response to a survey from campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed, highlighting that 6 in 10 women who have had an abortion claim that the cost of early years places influenced their decision.

Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said:

“It is shocking and extremely concerning that six in ten women who have had an abortion said that the cost of early years places influenced their decision. 

“What’s more, the fact that 17.4% of women said these costs were the main reason they chose to have an abortion makes clear a stark reality: that the early education and childcare system in this country is fundamentally broken. 

“Years of underfunding coupled with rising costs has forced the closure of countless early years settings, while others have been pushed to the brink, leaving them no choice but to increase costs to make ends meet. 

“The cost of childcare and early education should never, in any way, influence a woman’s decision over whether to have a child. The government simply must recognise the severity of the current situation before it gets even worse.  We urge the government to put a realistic and long-term plan in place that ensure the early years is properly funded so that providers are able to deliver the quality, affordable early years places that parents need.”