Over a quarter of parents in the East likely to take on extra work this Christmas
The rising cost of living and cuts to Universal Credit are viewed as two of the main reasons for this, say Action for Children
Over a quarter of parents in the East are likely to take on extra work or avoid taking time off this Christmas.
That's according to research from Action for Children.
The rising prices of energy, food and fuel along with cuts to Universal Credit are understood to be the main reasons for all this.
Imran Hussain is from the charity and says more needs to be done:
"Children poverty is going to rise over the period of this Parliament, as a direct consequence of policy decisions. So we need a plan that is about bringing child poverty down and that will include things like making sure families have enough to live on and strengthening help for working families. Whether that's through childcare or improving how much they get to live on".
He admits the picture is likely to get worse before it gets better:
"Those cuts to Universal Credit are there for the future. So unless they are reversed, families will be in trouble and of course we don't know what's going to happen with inflation, but the experts are saying that its likely to remain high for the start of next year, at least. So that is incredibly worrying".
He concluded by saying the effects of all this, is likely to last well beyond Christmas:
"There's mountain of evidence that children growing up in poverty have worse life outcomes. Helping families now will have huge a huge impact in future years. So, it's really important that we help families not only so they enjoy Christmas but they have healthier childhoods and better life chances".