Majority of parents in the UK struggling with mental health or finance warns UNICEF
Rising prices of essentials and expensive childcare are pushing families to “breaking point”
The charity UNICEF has warned that a majority of parents are struggling with mental health or with finances, research suggests.
Rising prices of essentials, expensive childcare and a lack of local support services are pushing families to "breaking point", according to Unicef UK.
Some 59% of parents said they are struggling with their mental health, with those on lower incomes most likely affected, a poll for the charity found.
Meanwhile, 66% of respondents have been negatively affected by the rising cost of living.
Almost a fifth of parents on low incomes are skipping meals to pay for childcare and just under half of parents struggling with the cost of living have already cut back on electricity and gas usage, with one in 10 unable to heat their home properly.
The figures come from a YouGov survey for the charity of 3,564 parents of children aged four and under in Britain in August 2022.
“We need to act now to support families”
It also suggests that one in three parents are finding it difficult to access professional support, which Unicef UK warns is putting children's development at risk.
The charity added that gaps in availability, patchy provision and long waiting lists mean some families are missing out on health visits, mental health support, affordable early education and childcare.
Jon Sparkes Unicef UK's chief executive, said: "Up and down the country, we're hearing how the rise in the cost of living, expensive childcare, a lack of mental health support and a scarcity of basic, local support services, are affecting children's life chances and pushing families to breaking point.
"We need to act now to support families and protect children's futures"
The charity is calling for the Government to introduce a National Baby And Toddler Guarantee informing families of the basic services that every young child in the UK is entitled to.
Separate research by Barnardo's suggests that a fifth of parents are struggling to provide food for their children.
Cost of living crisis
Interest rates and inflation go up
Inflation rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, down from 9.2% in December 2022. With interest rates also rising to 4%, those saving money will earn more interest on their finances, whilst those paying mortgages would pay more interest to the bank.
Energy bills
The price of energy went up incredibly as the cost of living crisis hit, with the gas price spike caused largely by the war in Ukraine. The price cap - which is set by an independent regulator to help offset costs onto customers - was set to rise to £3,549 for an average home in October but a price freeze from the government restricted the typical bill to £2,500. That's still an increase of 27% from the previous energy cap and as it's a cap on unit cost, the more energy you use the higher your bill will be.
Food prices
The cost of a weekly shop also has gone up as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a number of products including cooking oils and wheat have been disrupted. This means that several products are now considerably more expensive, driving bills up for customers.
Prices at the pumps
The average cost of petrol has also rose to unprecedented levels. Supply lines for petrol have been thrown into doubt as a result of the war in Ukraine, as Russia is a large export partner for gas, oil and fuel. In April 2022, the average price for a litre of petrol on the forecourt was 160.2p, whilst a litre of diesel would cost 170.5p. By late June 2022 the price had risen to an average of 190.9p for a litre of unleaded and 198.9p for a litre of diesel. In March 2023 the price wass on average of 147.03 in petrol and 167.04 in diesel.
Average cost of filling up a car with petrol hits £100
On 9th June 2022, the average cost of filling up a car with petrol hit £100 for the first time ever. Diesel had already hit that milestone. It comes as the cost of fuel hit a record high of one pound eighty a litre. The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. Prices have dropped by at least 20p per litre since the high point.