As schools across England and Wales prepare to break up for the summer holidays, new research suggests many families are facing growing financial strain, with one in eight parents struggling to afford basic essentials such as suncream and sunhats for their children.
A survey of 2,000 parents commissioned by Save the Children found that 14% would struggle to buy everyday summer necessities, while just 16% said they were confident they could give their children a summer similar to the one they enjoyed growing up.
The charity’s Big Summer Survey also found that 88% of parents believe the six-week school holiday places both financial and emotional pressure on families. Nearly three in five (59%) described the summer break as the most challenging time of year, ahead of Christmas, which was cited by 32% of respondents.
Parents reported a mix of emotions ahead of the holidays. While 44% said they felt excited and 36% experienced joy, many also reported stress (40%), feeling overwhelmed (31%), anxiety (29%) and worry (25%). Almost one in five (18%) admitted feeling guilty as the holidays approach.
Financial concerns were shown to have a significant impact on parents’ outlook. Among those worried about money, 45% associated the holidays with stress, compared with 26% of parents who were not financially concerned. Parents under financial pressure were also more likely to feel overwhelmed and anxious.
The survey highlighted the costs families fear most over the summer, with holidays (47%) and family days out (42%) topping the list. One in five parents said they worried about childcare and holiday club costs, while the same proportion feared struggling to feed their family throughout the school break. Nearly one in five (19%) said they borrow money or rely on credit to prepare for the holidays.
More than a quarter (26%) said they could not provide their children with the same summer experiences they had growing up. Parents also expressed concerns about children spending too much time on screens (54%) or being alone during the holidays (27%).
Dan Paskins, Save the Children’s Executive Director for UK Impact, said: ‘No parent should be facing a summer of stress and worry, and no child should dread holidays. But sadly our survey has shown cost of living pressures are whittling down family budgets and aspirations, even for high earners. And for those on the very lowest incomes, it is clear there is no summer break from poverty.
‘Save the Children is playing its part by providing cash grants, advice, support and holiday activities and food for kids. But there is a chance now with the incoming Prime Minister to keep children’s needs front and centre of any new plans for the UK and commit to further reducing shameful poverty levels.’
To support families, Save the Children is working with partners across the UK to provide free food, holiday activities, advice, cash grants and an online hub offering guidance to parents throughout the summer break.
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