THE cost of childcare matches or even exceeds that of rent or mortgages for nearly two-thirds of families, a survey published today shows.

The shocking poll, conduced by campaign groups Pregnant Then Screwed and Mumsnet, suggests that 62 per cent of parents are paying the same, if not more, for childcare as they do to keep a roof over their heads.

The research, which consulted about 27,000 parents of young children, shows the figure is even higher for single parents and those who work full-time at 73 per cent.