Leah Callahan (39), and Stuart Hart (40), live in Shropshire together with their daughter, Nola, two years old. They are like millions of families across the UK struggling to make ends meet. birthday.
Callahan says that the heating was turned on at night to allow the little girl to take a bath. “We don’t flush the toilet every time now, as I was about to have a heart attack when the water bill came last time. We use candles in the evening to light the room just to save electricity, and luckily that also generates some heat.”
Callaghan works three days a week as a HR Consultant in Wolverhampton, while Hart is a full-time Gas Surveyor at The Housing Association. Between them they earn too much to qualify for Universal Credit, but receive a monthly child benefit payment of £87.
The couple no longer uses the stove or oven in their kitchen. They rely on an air fryer, microwave, and a microwave. that use less energy. Callahan says, “We sold everything we didn’t really need and put our money into gas or electric.”
“Our bill was £65 when we first moved in two years ago. Now it’s £180 a month and we all know it’s only going to get worse. Council tax was £120 for a while, now it’s gone up to £160.”
This is the reality that many parents face this Christmas. Action for Children has released new research that shows the disruption cost to millions of working families.
to launch its annual activities Secret Santa campaignThe charity conducted a survey of 2,700 parents working in the UK and their children (nearly 5500 total) to help the country’s most vulnerable kids. It also conducted a national survey its frontline staff.
Research shows that financial burdens can have a negative impact on relationships, mental health, and Christmas celebrations.
According to the charity, three-quarters (75%) percent of children living in poverty are in families that work. Rates are expected to rise as the cost-of life crisis continues.
One in five (20%) working parents fear they won’t get Christmas gifts. More than two-thirds of five parents said they would try to be happy despite their financial anxiety.
Surprisingly 25% (26%) of children with working parents said that they would give their gifts or their pocket money to help pay for the holiday season.
More than 37% of the teens and children surveyed said that their parents were stressed or upset by their financial worries. A mere 25% (24%) of those surveyed have had their parents lose their temper.
Many families feel that having a job does not suffice to alleviate financial worries.
Hart and Callaghan worked since they were sixteen years old. They have never had to count any benefits. But, since the summer, their “reasonably secure” lives have been disrupted by the rising cost.
“It’s very frustrating. We used to be able to go to a supermarket without having any concern about our ability or affordability.
“I mean, I almost die now when I see the price of butter—even at the cheaper places. Sometimes I lay awake at night scrolling through the banking app, wondering how we will survive on the bills that arrive.
“We just chase every payday. It feels humiliating and leaves you feeling, like, What’s the point?” I feel bad because I love that Nola has so much and we do so much together.”
Callahan claims that the couple once wanted another child but that it is now impossible. She says, “We just can’t afford it. The state maternity wages are useless, and then there would be the extra custody fees. It just can’t be done.”
Hart and Callahan have suffered mental health problems as a result of the stress caused by the situation. “I was put on antidepressants two years ago when I had a particularly painful birth and an emergency C-section. But my anxiety got worse with all our money concerns, and the doctor has now doubled my daily dose size,” she says.
Her partner is now also on antidepressants.” And Callahan adds, “It’s had a tremendous impact on our mental health.”
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