Summer Holiday Blues as Debt Clouds the Sun
Many parents are feeling exasperated this summer, as debt prevents them from being able to afford even the most basic days out for their children.
For low-income families who are surviving on an income of less than £15,000, it will be difficult to keep the kids entertained throughout the holiday break. Many families are so deep in debt that they cannot even afford to take their children swimming.
For many parents, the summer break is one of the most financially worrying times of the year, which can seriously jeopardise their finanical difficulties even further. They lose the benefits of their children having free school meals and are faced with the guilt and expense of finding things for the children to do. They also have to find money for ‘back to school’ expenses when the summer break comes to an end.
The End Child Poverty campaign is urging the Labour MP, Ed Balls to devise seasonal grants for parents with severe debt problems. This will help them to cope at this most financially demanding time of the year.
A seasonal grant of just £100 per child would add up £1.4 million and benefit 5.2 million children who are living below the poverty line. This would allow parents to afford a winter coat or hard wearing shoes for their children so as they can relax in the knowledge that they are warm and comfortable during the winter months.
Gordon Brown has emphasised that one of his key priorities is to ‘give every child the best start in life’. A seasonal grant would be the ideal way to reduce child suffering amongst low income families in debt and help them to afford essential needs for their families.
Debt Advice News posted on 20/08/2007 08:43:39
|
