How much does it cost to raise a child?

Today LV published their annual breakdown of how much it costs to raise a child. So how much is it...........well apparently the answer is over £200,000! While existing parents will no doubt say 'i'm not surprised', I expect many soon-to-be parents are scrapping themselves off the floor.

The table below breaks down this jaw-dropping figure and even compares today's figures to those of 2003, when LV began the exercise.

But hey, it's only money right?!

Expenditure £	Dec 2009 costs	Jan 2009 costs	2003 costs (1st year of survey)
Childcare	£54,696	£53,818	£32,853
Education	£52,881	£50,240	£32,593
Food	£17,490	£17,205	£14,918
Clothing	£14,035	£13,281	£11,360
Holidays	£13,207	£11,920	£11,458
Babysitting	£11,003	£10,826	£6,760
Hobbies and Toys	£10,780	£10,313	£8,861
Leisure and Recreation	£7,772	£7,415	£6,366
Pocket Money	£4,338	£4,144	£3,386
Furniture	£2,770	£2,366	£2,074
Personal	£1,107	£1,037	£925
Other (includes driving lessons, first car, birthday and Christmas presents)	£11,731	£11,207	£8,845
Total	£201,809	£193,772	£140,398

For more details visit LV's website here.

(As an aside, don't forget to claim your free £190 'Health in Pregnancy Grant' if you are an expectant mother. Click here for more info.)