It’s not difficult to understand the impact the cost of living crisis is having on the UK, because – let’s face it, we’re all feeling the consequences. But when it comes to young people in particular, the effects are proving even more detrimental and far-reaching than you might think. It’s estimated that today, a staggering one-third of children in the UK live in poverty. Childline, the counselling service run by the NSPCC, has received calls from children feeling the impact of the financial strain the UK is facing first-hand: “I’m scared of the electricity prices going up because mum doesn’t have a job,” said Leanne*, 16, on a call to Childline last year.
Research shows that those in low-income families – with less of a buffer against rising costs and unexpected expenses – are significantly less able to cope with growing financial pressures (a third of people in the poorest fifth of households have savings of less than £250, for example). It’s sadly not a reality that escapes children, explains Adeniyi Alade, a service head for Childline in Scotland, who has seen first-hand the impact the crisis is having on young people. “Children and young people definitely see the changes that are happening at home, whether we choose to explain it to them or not,” he says. “They’re all too aware of changes in our behaviour and lifestyle – say if we keep turning the heating down or off, or limit access to certain activities.”
It’s not just personal struggles that are affecting children. With family finances making headlines on a near-daily basis, young people are noticing the far-reaching nature of this crisis: “So many families in this country can’t afford to eat or heat their homes, and it’s important we talk about it,” Millie*, 14, told a Childline counsellor.
The service is currently experiencing a sharp increase in calls from under-11s wanting support for loneliness – these are up by almost 71% in the past five years. Alade says: “They’re telling us they’re living their lives conscious of the fact they may not always have access to everything they need – and that affects not only their self-esteem, but their capacity to cope at all in some instances. We’re hearing more young people telling us these things directly impact their mental health and relationships – loneliness, for example, is one issue we’re hearing a lot more about.”
As 15-year-old Childline caller James* puts it: “I’m scared that I’m going to be in a future where I live in poverty because I can’t afford anything. I don’t want to be trapped in a job that I hate for the rest of my life.” Another heartbreaking call from Thomas*, 13, echoed those sentiments, as he shared fears over his family’s financial situation. “My parents are currently struggling with money,” he told the service. “They can still pay for basic things but if the rent goes up any more, then I worry what might happen.”
On top of existing fears, the current situation feels insurmountable, as caller Lloyd*, 18, outlined. “I’m meant to be going to university soon but it just seems like my chances at having the stable life my parents have – or any life at all – aren’t in my hands any more,” he told Childline. “From the climate crisis, to Covid, to war … the world just keeps getting worse.”
The repercussions of the cost of living crisis come as an especially cruel blow for young people, many of whom found their lives turned upside down by the pandemic. And while the immediate impact has lessened, its effects are still strongly felt, with employment still below pre-pandemic levels and inflation recently hitting its highest rate in more than 41 years. “The pandemic had an enormous impact on not just finances, but young people’s ability to socialise, the relationships they were able to build and their education, which has had a knock-on effect on their resilience – particularly when it comes to navigating social situations,” explains Alade. “Schools are largely doing a great job in trying to cater to the needs of young people, but many children are still not confident enough to talk about what they’re struggling with – instead choosing to withdraw and internalise it.”
Claire* is a Childline counsellor, who speaks directly to the young people using the service. The recurring themes she’s noticing are perhaps inevitable, given the circumstances. “I’m hearing [from young people] about more stress at home, worries about the short-term future for themselves and others, along with fears about the cost of essential items and services such as fuel or electricity,” she says. And the calls are not solely from those you might anticipate needing support, she says. “My sense is that young people who would not normally have contacted us about this kind of issue are now doing so. I think because family members are likely to be impacted by the same issues, these relationships – say, with parents or carers – may not be able to support the young person, meaning they may have nowhere else to turn.”
For Alade, the message is simple: communicate with young people, even when it’s difficult, and know that support is out there. “I’d encourage adults who are struggling, to talk to the young people in their lives about the cost of living crisis – parents shouldn’t take on all the pressure themselves. Not only does involving young people in day-to-day decisions and opening up those honest conversations within the home allow them to have a better understanding of what’s going on, but it helps build resilience and enables everyone to play their part. Encourage young people to talk to us at Childline, too – we have a number of skilled volunteers specially trained to support young people in ways parents are often unable to do. We can offer that support – it’s what we’re here to do.”
* Quotes are based on real Childline service users but are not necessarily direct quotes. All names and potentially identifying details have been changed to protect the identity of the child or young person involved.
Help support young people struggling with the impact of the cost of living crisis by donating to NSPCC today