The charity’s annual survey of 2,892 parents of children up to the age of four finds that 87 per cent are worried about their children’s future life chances, with 66 per cent reporting that the cost of living crisis has negatively impacted their family.
A total of 25 per cent have had to borrow money or gone into debt to make ends meet/pay for essentials.
Of those surveyed, 62 per cent said childcare is one of the biggest challenges facing parents.
In light of the findings, UNICEF UK is calling on the Government to commit to a National Baby and Toddler Guarantee.
It also wants the Government to end the two-child limit and remove the benefits cap, as well as guarantee every child a place in a local, affordable and quality early education and care setting.
The survey, carried out by YouGov, also reveals:
• 63 per cent have struggled with their mental health while being a parent.
• While there have been marginal improvements for the wealthier households surveyed, families on lower incomes are ‘falling through the cracks and are surviving, not thriving’.
• Households living on lower incomes, £19,999 or below a year, are suffering the most, with more than 60 per cent of these parents dreading the holidays because of the financial strain.
One respondent said that they have had to delay potty training and other skills due to ‘saving for equipment and developmental toys’.
Another said that they are unable to provide their young children with the ‘resources they would usually have to be able to play and enjoy being at home’, and they have reduced the number of days out due to the cost, which has ‘affected their moods’ and led to a struggle with motivation.
'Behind these numbers are real parents skipping meals, worrying about making ends meet, and children going without the essentials'.
Joanna Rea, director of advocacy for the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) said, ‘This is the moment to start making the UK one of the best places to raise a child and reverse the years of underinvestment and austerity which contributed to the UK having the highest increase in child poverty of any rich country.
‘The new Government must immediately prioritise support for its youngest and most vulnerable citizens starting with ending the two-child limit policy and removing the benefit cap. These two policies have significantly contributed to the dramatic increase in child poverty and the number of families struggling to keep their heads above water, getting swept away with rising costs and debt. The new Government must act urgently to address the crisis facing so many families across the country.
‘Behind these numbers are real parents skipping meals, worrying about making ends meet, and children going without the essentials they need, starting school already behind their peers, and growing up in stressed and stretched households with parents struggling every day.’
