World Morning Star
Struggling parents skipping meals and going into debt to afford Christmas for their children
MILLIONS of struggling parents across Britain are skipping meals and going into debt to afford Christmas, research by the Barnardo’s charity has found. Around 3.7 million parents have reduced how much
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Around 3.7 million parents have reduced how much they are eating, with the charity warning there could be 3.5 million going into debt over the holiday.
A survey of 2,763 parents found that 45 per cent have skipped or reduced meals to afford Christmas, and 43 per cent expect to go into debt.
Some 37 per cent think their child will miss out “on the magic of Christmas,” and 52 per cent are worried it will be harder to afford than last year.
One father of two from Edinburgh said: “I’ve saved enough money to get the kids some dinner and gone without myself.
“Sometimes you have to sacrifice things so your kids can eat, and be warm, and have presents to open on Christmas morning.”
Barnardo’s chief executive Lynn Perry said: “These findings paint a deeply worrying picture of the pressure many families are facing as Christmas approaches.
“No parent should have to choose between feeding themselves, heating their home or giving their child a happy Christmas.”
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