Families struggle to cope amid spiralling living costs and children pay the price

“I will be at home 24/7 with my children this winter on one income that just covers living costs. No pay rise in the last 10 years. I’m trying to work out how to heat the house and afford food and activities for my children all under pre-school age.”(Parent)

It is going to be a tough winter for so many families across London. For families that were already struggling, spiralling living costs are pushing them to breaking point. In September we conducted a survey of families we support in London to better understand how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting them. The results are heart-breaking.

Families are under pressure. Almost half (46%) of the parents we surveyed told us they can’t afford household bills. Over three quarters (76%) are stressed and anxious with relationships at home strained. Many feel isolated because they can’t afford to visit friends and family. Families living with a disability, larger families and single parent households highlighted additional challenges they face.

Children are paying the price of this crisis. One in two parents told us that their children are missing out on opportunities to meet and play with other children. Almost a quarter (23%) are not getting enough nutritious food and over a quarter (28%) do not have adequate clothes and other essentials. Early childhood is a critical period of development, laying the foundation for future physical and mental health and wellbeing. Sadly, the consequences of this crisis are likely to be severe and long-lasting.

Parents are having to cut back on essentials to cope. Over half (55%) of parents told us they are borrowing or using savings to pay bills. But this isn’t enough. Many are having to make unimaginable choices. Nearly two thirds (62%) of parents are cutting down on food. Over half (58%) are cutting down on their use of heating. Over two thirds (67%) are cutting down on family activities.

Community organisations and local charities are providing critical support. More than a quarter (28%) of families are using foodbanks and over a third (35%) are turning to local charities or community organisations to get essentials. Looking ahead, parents are deeply worried about getting through the winter. Nearly three quarters (74%) expect to need financial support to cover essentials. Nearly a third (31%) expect to need support from a specialist service such as mental health.

Families feel forgotten. Only 2% of parents said the government is doing enough to support them. Parents told us they urgently need accessible childcare, cheaper family essentials, support to cover the cost of energy and an increase in benefits including universal credit.

We are seeing a dramatic increase in family referrals, more than doubling for many local Home-Starts compared to the same period last year. We want to support as many families as possible through the tough winter ahead. But the cost-of-living crisis is impacting us too – our funding is being squeezed and operating costs are rising. We need the government to do more to ensure that Home-Start and the wider voluntary sector can be there for families when they need us most.

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If you need support or know a family that does, find your nearest London Home-Start here.