Allowing children to be raised in cold homes because of high energy costs is a potential “humanitarian crisis”, say UK academics.
Some 72 percent of parents cut back their energy use over the winter period due to high bills with the figure a higher 80 percent among those on low incomes.
A new study found parents are torn as they cannot afford to pay the high energy bills but are also concerned they are negatively impacting their children’s health and wellbeing (75 percent).
It also found that 62 percent were concerned that it was having a negative impact on children’s schoolwork.
These concerns are backed up by expert studies with University College London’s Institute of Health Equity who described the spectre of the health and education impacts of children stuck in cold homes as a potential “humanitarian crisis.”
The research was commissioned by the climate group Parents For Future UK. Its co-founder, Rowan Ryrie, said: “This winter’s sky-high energy bills pushed parents across the UK to turn off the heating at the coldest time of the year.
“Parents are understandably worried that turning off the heating is impacting their children’s health and wellbeing, and their ability to do their school work.
“But the cost of living crisis is forcing them to make impossible decisions that impact their children.”
Ms Ryrie continued: “It is shameful that the poorest parents were even more likely to be forced to cut their energy use during the coldest months to pay the bills.
“The government is failing to protect parents and their children from the cost of living crisis and these are the consequences.
“They are not doing enough to directly support people with high energy bills, and we want to see this prioritised by all parties ahead of the election, so parents are not forced to continue choosing between heating and eating for their children.”
