How is the cost of living crisis impacting children?

Courtney Sutton is one of Action for Children’s Family Support Practitioners at the Early Childhood and Family Service in Norfolk. Courtney supports families where children are suffering at the hand of the cost of living crisis.

Courtney (pictured below) shares with us what she sees every day.

Courtney can recall countless heart-breaking stories from the children and families she works with. Stories of children going to bed hungry. Stories of children going to school without a proper uniform. Stories of parents breaking down in tears.

But one family’s stood out:

“We’re working with a family who are on a low income. They aren’t entitled to public funding and they’re in a rented one-bedroom flat costing £1000 a month,” Courtney said. “The family rely on dad's income, but mum has now returned to work to support the family – just three months after having a baby.

“The family have received support with transport, reducing their isolation and welcoming them back into the community due to having no support network. Without Action for Children, the family would have struggled for basic food and essentials.”

Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated case. Families across the country aren’t able to stretch their incomes any further. The cost of living is rising, but these families have already cut their budgets down to the bare minimum. And it’s still not enough.

In Norfolk, where Courtney works, the child poverty rate ranges from 22.1– 32.5%. Childhood poverty across the UK has been increasing for years, and the cost of living crisis is only making things worse. We've never seen our services in such high demand.

“As a service, our resources are really stretched. All of our staff members are working at capacity,” Courtney explained. “The number of families who come to us in desperate need of help is increasing by the day.”

Many of those who come to the service need financial support. Some never needed financial help until the cost of living crisis. But now without it, their children suffer. We provide support ranging from food vouchers and emergency funding for bills to debt and budgeting advice.

“Particularly this year, we found that parents are also struggling to pay for school uniforms,” Courtney added. "They've been prioritising the money to go towards things like food, and they've had to access support to pay for school uniforms for the children.”

Parents are stressed, and their children notice it.

Parents have said they feel overwhelmed when entering a supermarket due to rising food costs and prices. Courtney noted, “Parents have shared with me that listening to the news on radios and TV about the cost of living and energy cap rising is causing them distress.”

Nearly half (47%) of children from low-income families we surveyed told us that they worry about their family’s finances. Children's stress levels are rising. And it’s presenting itself through challenging behaviours at home and at school.

“[With our support], children go to school feeling less stressed and less worried about their parents,” Courtney said. “Meaning that they’ll have better retainment while at school... They can play with their peers on the playground and enjoy the lessons without having those worries at home.”

Last winter, we found that the rising food bills and energy prices were viewed as the main causes of financial insecurity. 95% of staff predicted that this would only get worse. And that's exactly what we’re seeing happen.

“For families, winter months are going to bring fear,” Courtney shared. “Fear of not being able to pay for energy bills to keep the children and themselves warm.”

The cost of living crisis is affecting too many children. Families shouldn’t have to choose between eating meals or paying bills. Parents shouldn’t need to skip meals to feed their children. But this is what our staff, like Courtney, witness every day.

At Action for Children we’re here when families can’t afford the basics. We top up the gas meter when the house feels cold. Put food on the table so no one in the house goes hungry. We’re a vital lifeline for desperate families with nowhere to turn. You could help us do even more.