MORE than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for Glasgow City Council to reverse its decision to hike childcare costs by more than 50 per cent.

The council announced the move in its budget earlier this year and has come under pressure from opposition councillors and Labour 
MSPs in the city as parents express anger at the sharp increase.

The fees have increased for those eligible to pay from £2.54 to £4 an hour and a further rise to £5 is expected next year.

Many parents have said it will make them have to consider if they can afford to work.

Parents of three and four-year-olds and some two-year-olds are entitled to 900 hours free childcare a year if their income is below £30,000.

For any additional hours, and for those with children under that age, the charges apply.

The petition on Change.org has attracted 2000 signatures in less than four weeks.

Many have given their reasons for signing calling on the council to think again.

One signatory Kerri Houston said: “That’s half of national working wage.
“It’s not worth working to just afford to pay for childcare.”

Another, Sue Clark, said: “Parents are always caught in the middle of wanting to provide the best for their child and coping with rising costs all around them. 

“This hike in the price of nursery provision is outrageously high and unacceptable.”

The petition, started by Gavin Smith, states: “This increase will make it unaffordable and in some cases impossible for families to send their children to nursery.”

Johann Lamont, Glasgow Labour MSP, has been contacted by several parents who say they will not be able to carry on working.

She said: “The council should be listening to what families are telling them. No-one can afford a 50% increase in their outgoings.

“If you are going to have an affordable childcare policy you would expect it to be subsidised.” 

Councillor Chris Cunningham, City Convener for Education, Skills & Early Years, said: “The public obviously have the right to voice their opinions but Glasgow early years provision is amongst the highest quality in the country and we are continuing to make it as accessible and flexible as possible to meet the changing demands of Glasgow’s families.”