45% of children aged 7-11, and 26% of young people 12-18 answering a national survey said they worry about having enough to eat.
The survey by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales asked 7873 children and young people their views on a range of issues.
There were also 876 responses from parents.
Children’s concerns were echoed by parents: 36% of parents said that they worry about their children having enough food.
Almost two-thirds (61%) of children aged 7-11 worried about their families not having enough money for the things they need, as did a majority (52%) of children aged 12-18.
According to the commissioner, Rocio Cifuentes MBE, early findings from the survey are a ‘startling snapshot’ of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on children.
And the findings come just two days after the Senedd’s Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) committee warned that the cost-of-living crisis is impacting school attendance.
Parents’ survey
The results of the parents survey showed a wide range of financial worries:
- 68% worried about their children having enough money for the things they need
- 44% worried about paying for three meals a day
- 54% worried about paying for school uniform
- 57% worried about the cost of school trips
- 59% worried about paying for clothing
- 68% worried about paying for trips and days out
- 67% worried about paying for birthday presents and gifts
- 49% worried about paying for resources for school, like stationery and equipment
