Summer break could place 'bigger financial burden' on parents 

The Foodbank is expecting to see more new families seeking help 

It's the first official day of the summer holidays for children on the Isle of Man but some charities fear with ever-rising food and heating costs - parents are already facing financial pressures.

New polling published by UK charity Action for Children today (22 July) suggests the cost-of-living crisis is far from over for millions of parents as they battle to cover the extra costs of the holidays.

The charity commissioned Savanta to survey 2,000 UK parents earlier this month and found over half (51 per cent) are concerned they won’t be able to afford a holiday this summer, or even a short break or activities for their children (52 per cent).

One in twelve (8 per cent) – an estimated 700,000 families - reported they’d never been on a family holiday.

Despite falling inflation and signs of economic growth, a third (32 per cent) of parents believe they will be financially worse off this summer compared to last year.

Balancing work and family life was a huge concern among the parents polled, with over half (55 per cent) concerned they won’t be able to spend as much time together as a family due to work commitments, and over a quarter (27 per cent) reporting they plan to take time off work as unpaid leave or take time off sick to provide childcare.

A further 7 per cent reported they may even have to quit their job to look after their children this summer.

The financial pressures are taking an emotional toll too, with the vast majority of parents who say their finances are worse this year than last (88 per cent) reporting they feel guilty for not being able to afford to do things with their children over the summer.

Of these, nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) said they will have to put on a brave face over the break, despite being worried about money issues.

And with school canteens closed, a third (32 per cent) of parents are concerned about providing three meals a day for their children over the summer break, and more than a quarter (26 per cent) worry they will need to use a foodbank to feed their children while they’re off school.

Here at home, Manx children's charity A Little Piece of Hope has seen an increase in parents asking for help for items like clothing. 

Founder Helen Sheppard told Manx Radio the pressure of finding cheap activities, saving for uniforms and providing the school dinner meal is going to place a bigger financial burden on some this summer: 

Another charity that echoes that view is the Foodbank.

Neal Mellon told Manx Radio it's becoming more challenging because they've noticed more new families and individuals seeking help each month. 

Currently the organisation distributes 350 food parcels a month.

Mr Mellon believes this summer the Foodbank will see more people seeking assistance: 

Manx Radio has reached out to government to respond to the claims made by Mr Mellon.