Hundreds of thousands of children in Wales are living in cold, damp homes, with over four in 10 parents in Wales saying they have rationed their heating. This statistic is higher than the UK average of 35%, indicating that an estimated 204,000 children in Wales could be at risk of living in cold, damp conditions as their parents struggle to afford heating costs.
According to the National Parent Survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the parenting charity Parentkind, 37% of parents in Wales are facing financial struggles, with almost a quarter of them getting into debt each month. Shockingly, almost one in four parents have reported skipping meals in the last 12 months to save money.
Comparing the Welsh results to the UK average, parents in Wales are more likely to express unhappiness, less likely to be satisfied with the quality of education their child receives, and more likely to consider letting their child miss school for a holiday. Additionally, Welsh parents are the least satisfied with their children’s education, with only 67% stating they are happy with the quality compared to a UK average of 72%.
The survey also revealed that 37% of parents in Wales are struggling to pay their bills, while one in five find it challenging to afford the cost of sending their child to school. Concerns about children’s screen time were also prevalent, with over half of parents expressing worry about the amount of time their children spend on electronic devices outside of school.
Moreover, mental health issues among parents are a significant concern, with 26% of Welsh parents reporting poor mental health in the last 12 months. Support for universal free school meals is high among Welsh parents, with 79% agreeing that they should be provided free for all children. However, more than half of parents feel that schools do not provide clear information on tools to support their child’s learning at home.
The National Parent Survey conducted by YouGov during April and May this year involved speaking to over 5,500 parents across the UK, making it one of the most extensive nationwide polls of parent opinion to date. Parentkind CEO, Jason Elsom, emphasized the importance of this survey as it sheds light on the challenges faced by families across the UK, highlighting issues such as parental mental health concerns, financial struggles, and the impact of children’s screen time on family life.
In conclusion, the survey results point towards a pressing need for support for families in Wales, particularly concerning financial stability, mental health, and education quality. The findings highlight the realities faced by many parents and children in Wales, urging for collective action to address these critical issues.