Research from Scottish children's charities warns that further cuts to the benefits of Scotland's poorest families will throw them into crisis
Poor families in Scotland are cutting back on food, heating and children’s clothes according to new research from children’s charities.
Single parents and families living in deprived areas are facing particular difficulties with some reporting stress related illnesses brought on by money worries.
The survey of 1,000 people was carried out by Ipsos Mori on behalf of umbrella group Parenting Across Scotland (PAS). Ahead of the UK autumn statement, due tomorrow, the group has said further cuts to benefits could throw families into crisis.
The research found that Scotland's poorest families are only just making ends meet, and some are struggling with stress, anxiety, and having to make cut-backs to family essentials.
It found more than one in three parents reported increased stress and anxiety as a result of changes in their financial circumstances, and one in three parents spend less time with their children compared to last year because of financial difficulties.
A third of parents have had to cut back on food shopping. This particularly affects single parents, with around half having to cut back on food shopping.
In addition, two in five single parents had to cut back on children’s clothes and around a quarter of all parents had to cut back on gas and electricity.
Around one in five parents said changes in financial circumstances were adversely affecting their health, or causing relationship problems with their parents, family or friends.
Most working parents received around the same as, or more than, the living wage of £7.85 per house but over one in 10 received less than that.
PAS, which is made up of several high profile children’s charities, says the findings highlight the already perilous state of family finances in Scotland. It is calling for the UK government to rethink tax credit cuts on parents and children who are most vulnerable.
Clare Simpson, project manager at PAS, said: “We know from our report that single parents, those living in deprived areas and people with a disability are already struggling and proposed benefit changes will throw many of them over the edge, leaving some with a choice of heating or eating.
"Around half of all parents questioned said they had been less able to put money aside or save for the future so have nothing to fall back on in tough times.
“Families have been told they should work to get out of poverty. And yet, our survey shows that, for too many parents, working does not mean escaping poverty.
"For many, tax credits have provided some protection against falling into poverty, and now it looks like even that option may be withdrawn. It seems that, no matter how hard families try to do the best for their children, they just cannot win.”
PAS partners are Children 1st, Aberlour, Capability Scotland, Children in Scotland, Families Outside, One Parent Families Scotland, Relationships Scotland, Scottish Adoption and The Spark.
