Children sleeping on blankets instead of beds, parents eating kids’ leftovers and families on the brink of starvation… it sounds like a scene from Victorian Britain.
But this is the harsh reality of life in the 21st century for millions of people battling the growing cost of living crisis.
And as most families look forward to a joyous Christmas, others face yuletide misery thanks to soaring food and energy costs and real-time pay cuts in the Tory war on the poor.
Charity Action for Children has unearthed heartbreaking tales, including 25% of youngsters offering to donate their pocket money to help parents through the festive period. And 20% of working mums and dads fear they will not be able to afford any Christmas presents.
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Action for Children’s survey also found 98% of parents have worried about money in the last six months.
Its frontline workers found one couple could not afford a bed so their child sleeps on a pile of blankets. A sobbing mum revealed she could not even afford the £5 fee for her local food bank last week.
And one young girl asked if there was anything she would like from Santa told the charity: “I’m not asking for anything, because my mum would get too sad.”
A couple revealed they had to abandon their plans for a second child due of the cost of living crisis.
Action for Children chief executive Melanie Armstrong said: “For most of us the festive season is a happy time, yet as our shocking research shows there will be children all over the UK who face a very different Christmas.
“Instead of enjoying a safe and happy time, many children 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 winter clothes, as well as offering emergency support to keep homes warm and help families pay the bills.
“In yet another year when children and families have been pushed deeper into crisis, supporting them is more important than ever.”
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner added: “These findings beggar belief.
“But this is the cold, hard reality of the Tory cost of living crisis. Working parents should absolutely be able to afford Christmas presents and food.
“But the Tories’ economic failure has led to insecure work soaring and pay packets not keeping up with rising prices.” Action for Children has launched its Secret Santa Campaign urging Brits to buy a gift for children going without this year.
Many of the kids quizzed in the charity’s survey told of watching their parents getting upset over money worries and even losing their temper at the youngsters.
And 35% thought their mums and dads will be worried about not having enough cash to pay the bills over the festive period.
In the nationwide survey of nearly 200 of its frontline staff during November, the charity found more 69% of those surveyed are currently supporting a child, young person or family that is experiencing poverty or financial hardship.
And 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.
One in 10 had even donated their own household items or clothing to others, such is the urgent need.
- If you can help donate a present visit actionforchildren.org.uk
'I have to borrow my daughter's birthday money'
Mum-of-four Victoria from Bath has been going hungry and forced to survive on her children’s leftovers.
Victoria, 34, receives roughly £300 a week in benefits and says she’s “ashamed” that recently she had to borrow her daughter’s birthday money.
She needed the cash to pay for bread and milk and to pay for the five pound food bank fee.
“I go hungry because I can’t afford to eat. I fill myself up on cups of tea,” she admitted.
“When the children come home I make sure they have a meal and I take anything they have left on their plates.”
Every week Victoria’s eldest daughter Keira, 11, donates her pocket money to help her mum buy basics like bread and milk.
She even donated money she received for her birthday last month from her nan and has promised to do the same with any gift money she gets at Christmas.
“It’s heartbreaking. Keira saw me smashing into the tin money chest last week and said to me: ‘It’s okay mummy, you can have my money’.” the mum told The Mirror.
“It made me feel awful and ashamed. I gave her a big hug.
“I couldn’t even afford the local food bank £5 fee. “
Victoria, who has been supported by Action for Children says she has been crippled by the rising prices in the shops and soaring energy bills.
Her money problems began a few years ago when the relationship with her former partner and the children’s dad broke down.
She is unable to work because of her caring responsibilities for her five year old who has serious health conditions.
“I’ve got really bad anxiety, I’m not sleeping with all the money worries keeping me awake at night.
“I had to find money for one of my daughter’s school trips and I had to ask my mum for the money as I just couldn’t afford it. “
'We can't afford a second child'
A couple have had to ditch their dreams of having a second child because of the cost of living hell.
Leah Callaghan, 39, and partner Stewart Hart, 40, live in Shropshire with two-year-old daughter Nolah.
Speaking of their plans for another baby, Leah said: “We just cannot afford it. The Government maternity pay is useless and then there would be the extra nursery fees. It’s upsetting, but that’s the decision we’ve had to make.”
HR consultant Leah works three or four days a week and Stewart is a full-time gas surveyor.
The couple have a joint income of £50,000, too much to qualify for Universal Credit.
Their “reasonably comfortable” lives have been turned upside down by the spiralling cost of living.
Leah added: “Our direct debits and rent come to £1,850, on top of that we have to pay our daughter’s nursery fees of £550 a month. Our energy bill was £65 when we first moved in two years ago. Now it’s £180 a month and we all know it’s going to get worse.
“The Council Tax was £120, now it’s gone up to £160.
“The Government are not protecting our kids right now.”
