A third of parents are worried about losing their home because of the cost-of-living crisis, according to campaigners.
Children’s charity Barnardo’s says one in seven families were forced to share beds this winter and almost half worried about keeping their home warm enough.
The YouGov poll of more than a thousand parents of children aged 18 or under also revealed that half worry about their children missing out on a normal childhood because of having to make cutbacks.
Nearly one in four said they had recently struggled to provide sufficient food for their children.
In its report, A Crisis On Our Doorstep, Barnardo’s says some families have not been able to afford increased housing costs and have been forced to seek emergency temporary accommodation through their local authority.
Among a range of demands the charity is calling for free school meals to be extended to all primary school children in England, Universal Credit to be linked permanently to inflation and removal of the reduced payment level for under 25s.
Barnardo's chief executive Lynn Perry said: ‘Families who once had to choose between heating or eating are now worried about providing warm beds for their children or losing their homes altogether.
‘As a charity we have responded by delivering clothes, appliances and vouchers to help thousands of families with everyday essentials. But we know this urgent support can only do so much.
‘Children and young people were hit hard during the pandemic and many are now missing out on the basics.
‘The Government has a key opportunity with the Spring Statement next week to step in and support families who are struggling – starting with the introduction of extending free school meals in primary schools, so that every young child has at least one hot and healthy meal.’
