Increase in cost of having children - one woman's story
Families are struggling as the cost of bringing up a child has risen to £148,000, according to research for the Child Poverty Action Group charity (CPAG).
The report, co-funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation charity, says costs have risen by 4% over the last year.
At the same time, it says the value of benefit payments fell in real terms.
Kim Levine told the BBC the cost of childcare for her children Marcus, nine, and Minnie, eight, would mean it was not worth her working in her part-time job.
She added she had noticed an increase in the cost of both basics and activities - but she was most conscious of the weekly food bill which, she said, was barely covered by her salary.
19 Aug 2013
- From the section Business