InFocus: New Year's resolutions

Insight: Let’s resolve to invest in families in 2013

New Year’s resolutions are renowned for not making it into February, but this year many families may have to take them more seriously. Our New Year survey by YouGov shows that, unsurprisingly, saving money (38 per cent) and trying to pay debts (23 per cent) are two of the most popular resolutions for 2013.

With the rising cost of living and changes to welfare support of particular concern, our poll shows again the extent to which families are feeling the pinch. The announcement in the Chancellor’s autumn statement that benefits will increase by only one per cent over the next three years means that the gap between incomes and outgoings is going to get precarious for some and virtually impossible to manage for others.

This will mean the reality for many vulnerable families is whether they can afford to feed their children, heat their homes or pay the rent or mortgage.

This risks leading to poverty or family breakdown – a consequence that will see our welfare system pay a higher price in the long run. Investing in families is the only way to get our economy back on track and offer thousands a lifeline before their financial difficulties become irreversible crises.

Anne Longfield is chief executive of 4 Children


In depth: Poll reveals family and the economy as top priorities

The beginning of a new year is naturally a time to take stock and make plans. On behalf of 4Children, YouGov conducted a poll to determine what people’s New Year’s resolutions are and what they would like the government to address in 2013.

Our poll highlights that almost one in five of respondents (19 per cent) hope to spend more time with their family, with a quarter of these being young men, aged 18 to 24. In comparison, only 14 per cent of young women plan to do so.

Saving money was the resolution for 38 per cent of respondents, while more young people (aged 18 to 24) compared to older people (aged 55 and older) planned to save in the new year. Forty-eight per cent of young men in comparison with 29 per cent of older men intended to save, while 53 per cent of young women planned to do so compared with 25 per cent of older women.

The poll revealed that more than one in four people (27 per cent) chose social inequality and poverty as one of the top three things that they want the government to address in 2013. Additionally, 41 per cent of respondents in Scotland compared to 21 per cent in the South East said social inequality and poverty should be tackled next year.

More than half of people believe the economy should be improved, with 61 per cent of young men and almost 50 per cent of young women thinking it should be a top priority. Furthermore, 41 per cent of all respondents and 50 per cent of young men felt that unemployment should be a concern. More than half of respondents in Scotland and Wales felt that unemployment should be tackled by the government next year.

Our poll demonstrates that people’s New Year resolutions are to spend more time with their families, pay off debts and – in particular for young people – to save money. The main priorities that respondents wanted the government to address include unemployment, poverty and social inequality and the economy. The poll reveals that the issue of unemployment disproportionately affects young people, with 18- to 24-year-olds most likely to choose this as a government priority.

In figures

40% of respondents think the UK government needs
to improve the NHS as a top priority for 2013

41% of young men (aged 18 to 24) and
42% of young women (aged 18 to 24)
think the UK government needs to improve the
NHS as a top priority for 2013

49% of respondents in Wales think the
UK government needs to improve the NHS
as a top priority for 2013

18% of respondents think UK government needs
to make education a top priority for 2013

26% of young men (aged 18 to 24) and
32% of young women (aged 18 to 24)
think the UK government needs to make
education a top priority for 2013

Source: 4Children survey, conducted by YouGov