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 is higher than the UK average of 35%, indicating that an estimated 204,000 children in Wales could be at risk of living in such conditions as their parents struggle to afford heating. A recent National Parent Survey, conducted by YouGov on behalf of parenting charity Parentkind, revealed that 37% of parents in Wales are facing financial challenges, with almost a quarter getting into debt each month.
Furthermore, the survey showed that almost one in four parents have had to skip meals in the last 12 months to save money. Comparing the Welsh results to the UK, it was found that parents in Wales are the most likely to report feeling unhappy most of the time and are least satisfied with the quality of education their children receive. Additionally, Welsh parents feel undervalued by society, with only 30% agreeing that they feel valued compared to a UK average of 39%.
The report highlighted various financial struggles faced by parents in Wales, with 37% finding it hard to pay bills and one in five struggling to afford the cost of sending their child to school. Concerns over children’s screen time were also raised, with over half of parents in Wales expressing worries about the amount of time their children spend on electronic devices outside of school.
The survey found that over a quarter of Welsh parents have experienced poor mental health in the last 12 months, and 71% would consider allowing their child to miss school for a holiday. Support for universal free school meals is high among parents in Wales, with more than three quarters agreeing that they should be provided for all children. However, many 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 in April and May, interviewed over 5,500 parents across the UK, making it one of the largest nationwide polls of parent opinion. Commenting on the findings, Parentkind CEO Jason Elsom emphasized the significance of the survey in shedding light on the struggles faced by families across the UK.Parents are dealing with mental health concerns, financial challenges, and issues around the cost of school, as well as screen time affecting family dynamics.