A further 30 per cent anticipate a heavier workload. Five per cent of local councils have registered a rise in requests for free school meals, while another 35 per cent said they expected the demand for free school meals to go up soon.
The survey was based on responses from 155 local authority chief executives at the end of November.
However, 23 per cent of councils said they did not expect any pressure on children's services because of the economic slowdown and 19 per cent said that inquiries about free school meals were not likely to rise.
Eight out of 10 councils reported a rise or expected rise in homelessness, while 46 per cent have encouraged the take-up of benefits.
Chairman of the Local Government Association, Councillor Margaret Eaton, said: "This research reveals the extent to which people and businesses are feeling the pinch. From a rise in homelessness to an increase in mental health problems, councils are reporting a huge uptake in their services."
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