“Christmas is a big worry for families”, according to new research
80% of children surveyed feel money worries will make Christmas an anxious time
Last updated 5th Dec 2024
Four in five children and young people (aged 11-21) in the South West fear their parents’ cashflow will lead to an anxious family Christmas, according to Action for Children.
Research by the charity, found 80% of those surveyed feel money worries will make this Christmas a nervous time, the highest proportion in the UK.
“One mum was limiting her food intake"
Alice Woudhuysen is from Action for Children, she says “It’s just really sad to hear as Christmas should be an exciting time for families.
“Children should be looking forward to it and parents should be looking forward to it, but the research shows that the cost of living crisis is far from over as Christmas is a big worry for families.”
In our region, almost 70% of those surveyed thinks it’s likely their parents will have to sacrifice something important or special for themselves over the Christmas holidays to make sure they receive presents.
Ms Woudhuysen said: “One mum said she was limiting her food intake, only having one snack a day and eating her children’s leftovers so that she could save some of that money.
“Also, parents are feeling really guilty that they can’t afford new shoes for their children or that the shoes they are wearing are too small.”
The charity, Action for Children, are working to help those experiencing poverty, and Ms Woudhuysen tells us what that can look like, she said: “Often children can be ill constantly, they could be suffering from colds in very cold homes with no flooring.
“It really varies but it shows that child poverty really exists and it’s a tragedy that it’s happening today.”
Ms Woudhuysen also tells us the impact that child poverty has, she says, “We know that it disrupts childhoods and harms their life chances in future”.
She added: “Sadly, children who experience poverty do worse at school, they earn less as adults, suffer poorer mental and physical health, and they’re more likely to need help from a social worker.”