Bridget Phillipson to ask competition watchdog to review hidden childcare costs

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is to ask the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to examine the hidden costs parents may be charged when using government-funded childcare. Eligible working parents of children aged between nine months and four years old in England are entitled to 30 hours a week of government-funded childcare. But ministers are concerned that families are still facing costs to secure places – through demands for non-refundable deposits. In some cases parents who successfully secure a nursery place are expected to meet additional costs for meals, snacks, nappies and suncream. They are concerned this may create a barrier for hard-pressed parents to get the childcare they need and will ask the CMA - which is tasked with promoting competition and protecting consumers - to investigate, the Financial Times first reported. Ministers are concerned the offer of funded childcare for many working parents is being undermined. Personal finance journalist Rick Kelsey told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme he, like many parents, had been "excited" last September for the start of government-funded childcare grants. But he was left with additional charges of £16 a day fo