Cost of raising children 'tops £200,000'

A study by investment group LV= says steeper university costs are largely to blame for pushing the cost up to £201,000, up 4% on last year's survey and 43% since the survey began in 2003. Childcare and education remain the biggest expenditures, costing parents £54,696 and £52,881 respectively over their child's lifetime. The increase comes as the weak economic and credit environment squeezes household budgets. "Every parent will know how expensive it can be to raise a little one, and as parents, we know we don't begrudge a single penny of it," says LV= chief executive Mike Rogers. ...