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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Jem Bartholomew

‘Cost of children crisis’: UK parents on coping with half-term on a shoestring

A food bank in East Sussex
A food bank in East Sussex: Food banks have reported soaring demand during school holidays in recent years. Photograph: Jon Santa Cruz/Rex/Shutterstock

Delaying heating the house, showering every two or three days, weighing up selling cherished items, cancelling holidays – these are some of the sacrifices parents in the UK are making in their efforts to cope with the cost of living crisis.

About 19% of households with children, an estimated 1.5 million, are in serious financial difficulties, according to analysis of abrdn’s financial fairness tracker by the charity Action for Children. This figure compares with 13% of households without children.

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