Many working parents in Northern Ireland have had to cut back on heating their homes due to the cost of living crisis.
That's the stark message from new research by a leading charity as it emerged two fifths (40%) of working parents here are worrying that they’ll disappoint their children during the festive season due to money struggles.
New Action for Children research found that seven in ten (71%) working parents surveyed in Northern Ireland have cut back on heating while two fifths are worrying they can’t afford Christmas presents their children are asking for.
Read more: NI health workers on 24 hour strike in pay dispute
To launch its annual Secret Santa campaign to help the country’s most vulnerable children, Action for Children commissioned a unique Savanta ComRes poll of working parents and their children, as well as a regionwide survey of its frontline staff.
The charity's research shows how the financial burden families in Northern Ireland are facing is taking an emotional toll on relationships, mental health and Christmas celebrations.
With the highest inflation rate in over 40 years, over half (53%) of working parents surveyed in Northern Ireland admitted to feeling stressed by money concerns in the lead up to Christmas.
Nearly all (97%) said they have worried about money over the past six months, with almost half (46%) having worried often. Of those:
And amid reports that the UK-wide Energy Support Payment will not reach households in Northern Ireland until the New Year, seven in ten (71%) of working parents surveyed here admitted they have had to cut back on heating their homes due to the cost-of-living crisis.
The research also shows two fifths (40%) of the working parents polled in Northern Ireland worried they’ll disappoint their children this Christmas due to money struggles, with the same amount worrying they won’t able to afford the presents their children asked for this Christmas, and nine in ten (92%) worried about the impact of rising energy bills this Christmas.
Despite their money worries, almost two in five (39%) said they will put on a brave face and try to act happy, while many children in Northern Ireland also reported they felt their mum and dad will be faking their festive cheer (42%).
The polling also recognises the severity of the situation and emotional pressures facing children and teenagers of Northern Ireland families. Seven in ten (70%) of those polled had seen their parents worry about money in the last six months
Over a quarter of those who’d seen their parents worry in the last six months had also seen their parents become upset or stressed in front of them due to money worries (27%) and over one in five (21%) experienced their parents losing their temper with them.
A third (33%) of the children and young people reported thinking their parents can’t afford everything needed to celebrate Christmas, and more than a quarter (28%) thought their parents will be worried about not having enough money to pay usual household bills over the festive period
As a charity that delivers children’s services across the UK, Action for Children is increasingly having to provide emergency relief to families as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
In a regionwide survey of nearly 200 of its frontline staff during November, it found over two-thirds of those surveyed (69%) are currently supporting a child, young person or family that is experiencing poverty or extreme financial hardship.
Nearly half (45%) reported they were extremely worried about the health and wellbeing of the children, young people and families they support due to their financial situation, and one in ten (10%) had even donated their own household items or clothing to families, such is the urgent need.
Three quarters (75%) of children in poverty are in working families¹ with rates expected to worsen² as the cost-of-living crisis continues.
Lorna Ballard, national director for Northern Ireland at Action for Children, said: "For most of us the festive season is a happy time, yet as our shocking research shows there will be children all across Northern Ireland who face a very different Christmas this year.
"Instead of enjoying a safe and happy time, many children in Northern Ireland will wake up on Christmas morning to no presents, food or warmth.
"Every day our frontline workers are helping families keep their heads above water, making sure they have the basics like hot meals and proper winter clothes, as well as offering emergency support to keep homes warm and help families pay the bills.
"We need to ensure household incomes are enough for families to afford heating, be able to eat healthy, nutritious food, and fully participate in community life - a huge part of what Christmas should look like.
"But instead, we are seeing families choosing to cut back on heating their homes, food, celebrations, buying gifts for their partners and children, deciding not to travel to see loved ones and minimising days out as a family.
"All these cuts have an impact on mental and physical health of a population and Northern Ireland is already disproportionately impacted by poorer outcomes in these areas.
"Without an Executive, it is difficult to watch the effect of missed opportunities to meaningfully support families with children through this winter.
"This crisis is being allowed to grow deeper and wider and we are hugely dissatisfied with the political situation in Northern Ireland. Babies, children, young people and their parents cannot keep paying the price."
To help those in need you can donate to the campaign HERE.
READ NEXT:
Belfast teenager's food drive to help the most vulnerable this Christmas
Details on way cold weather payments work in NI as icy conditions continue
Power NI cutting electricity tariff but people's bills will stay the same
Northern Ireland's lowest earning homes left with half the spare cash they had last year
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
