Many parents wish they could cancel Christmas

The charity commissioned a YouGov survey of more than 1,000 UK parents and 1,000 children, aged six to 15.

For nearly half (46 per cent) of parents on universal credit who were surveyed, it will be the first Christmas they experience receiving the benefit. Of those parents, 41 per cent wish they could cancel the festive season, while more than half said they have plans to delay paying household bills, borrow money or sell possessions to pay for Christmas.

One mother said, ‘My fiancé’s hair is falling out from all the stress… We’re probably going to lose our house as our savings have run out. I’m now considering selling my engagement ring.’

The poll of children found:

• over half are experiencing anxiety due to Covid-19.
• more than a third are scared of getting ill or dying.
• more than one in eight are suffering from nightmares.

The charity also carried out in-depth interviews with families supported by its emergency fund to explore the effect the pandemic is having on them. 

They revealed that every family is having to make difficult decisions about how to meet their basic needs. Most families said they have cut back on essentials like food to put fuel in their car. One family had already lost their house, while others feared the same could happen to them. 

Nearly every family reported new concerning behaviours exhibited by their children such as anger and fear, with some suffering from panic attacks. 

The findings have been released to coincide with the launch of the charity’s Christmas Secret Santa campaign to help the most vulnerable children.

Case study 

Single father Mike Trower from Paignton in Devon planned to open a new business which had to be put on hold when the coronavirus crisis began. During lockdown he started to notice his four-year-old son Cody’s behaviour change dramatically. 

He said, ‘He now has real social anxiety. He regularly tells me he’s sad and angry. He’ll scream out the car window and cry and have a panic attack – it’s because he’s spent so much time with me this year and now he struggles to be on his own. His bed is just across the hall through the lounge - I now have to leave the lounge and hall lights on as he says my room is too far away.  

‘If I shut the car door and walk around to fill up on petrol, he’ll undo his belt and stand up and say ‘what are you doing?’ I used to be able to fill up and go into the petrol station and pay.  He didn’t used to be like this.’

Deputy chief executive of Action for Children Carol Iddon commented, ‘Christmas should be the most exciting time of the year but instead children and young people are desperately struggling to get through this crisis, with parents wishing away the pressure of the festive season.

‘Every day our frontline workers are helping parents keep their heads above water as some face the prospect of eviction or selling belongings to cover the cost of Christmas. While vulnerable children who should be enjoying a safe and happy childhood are suffering nightmares, panic attacks, or being scared of issues like death and illness. 

‘In a year when children and families have been pushed deeper into crisis, supporting them is more important than ever. Until every family can keep their child warm and well fed, we’ll be there to help them – that’s why we’re asking people to donate to help us make a life-changing difference to vulnerable children this Christmas and beyond. But these families cannot rely on the generosity of the British public alone, the Government must play its part. The Chancellor must give struggling families peace of mind this Christmas by promising that he will not be cutting universal credit payments by over £1,000 a year in the Spring.’

Christmas present appeal

Charity The Childhood Trust, along with the Metropolitan Police, has also launched its annual Christmas Tree appeal, through which it hopes to provide presents for around 14,000 children from birth to age 18.

This campaign began nine years ago with one tree outside New Scotland Yard being decorated with gift tags which provided information on how to buy a present for a child in care. The public were encouraged to take a tag and buy a present, which they then handed in to their local Met police stations. Officers then ensured they were distributed to children across the capital. 

This year, due to Covid-19, the appeal has gone virtual, with all presents available to purchase through the Met Police website.