In Focus: Fair4Families campaign

Insight: Families suffer as cost of living rises

We know from the families that we have had contact with that meeting the everyday costs of living, such as food, rent or mortgage, bills, petrol and heating is becoming increasingly difficult.

While the cost of living has increased, the average family income has remained the same or decreased. The case of one family from Leeds that has been in touch with 4Children offers an insight into the situation of many families facing financial concerns. They lost their children’s tax credit this year and are now struggling to make ends meet. They have used all their savings and are now using their overdraft. They have changed their shopping habits by switching to a cheaper supermarket, buying only essentials and eating less expensive foods like meat and fresh produce. The family is also being careful with heating and ensuring they are all in the house before putting it on.

But they have no long-term plan of how they will cope financially.

Anne Longfield is chief executive of 4 Children


In Depth: Children deserve protection from further cuts

Families in Britain have arrived at a crossroads in 2013. Facing an unprecedented squeeze on their finances as a result of job insecurity, salary reductions, welfare reforms and the rising cost of necessities such as food, petrol and childcare, it is clear that the status quo is unsustainable. Intervention to rescue families from the brink is now essential.

A campaign has been launched to call on the government to invest in the country’s greatest asset. Fair4Families argues that families are a major untapped resource and that the Chancellor needs to put them at the top of his agenda.

The Fair4Families campaign is led by 4Children and demands that the Chancellor’s comprehensive spending review: