Is it too expensive to have children?

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The cost of living crisis is something that is taking its toll on many across the country, with everything from food to energy bills shooting up and causing headaches for households.

And for parents, these are pressures that only add to the already increasing cost of childcare, with a recent survey finding that one in four UK parents are having to give up their job or drop out of education in order to avoid nursery costs.

With these concerns on the rise, we want to know if you think it is now becoming too expensive to have children. READ MORE: Old people left 'stuck in bed' every day due to the cold says charity - but there is help out there Parents across Greater Manchester have shared their concerns, with one family saying that their childcare bill is costing them £12,000 and many wondering what the point even is in working.

Some readers also shared their thoughts on the topic, with one person saying: "It is very possible to plan for a child in short and medium term, but the further one plans for the more uncertain things become - parent who find themselves in this situation should not blame themselves." Chancellor Jeremy Hunt recently announced plans in his Spring Budget to provide eligible households with 30 hours of free childcare a week for every child under five, although this policy is not due to come into play until 2025.