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Council chiefs have hit out at claims local authorities have a duty to provide childcare, after a national survey revealed costs increased by more than twice the rate of inflation last year.

A report issued today by the Daycare Trust finds childcare costs soared by 6% last year, more than outstripping the 2.7% inflation rate for 2012. The Childcare Costs Survey 2013 reveals costs for children under 2 years have increased by 77% in the last decade.