Almost a third (31%) of parents surveyed in Scotland have revealed that they have bought unhealthy food for their children at least once a fortnight because they cannot afford healthy meals, according to the country’s leading children’s charity.
Research from pollsters YouGov, which was commissioned by Barnardo’s Scotland, reveals that 31% of parent of children aged 18 or under are having to make such purchases when it comes to feeding their families every fortnight, while nearly a quarter of those polled (26%) say they have had to do so at least once a week in the past 12 months.
The poll also highlighted the fact that 68% of parents who had to buy unhealthy food options in the past 12 months because they couldn’t afford healthy meals are worried about what they feed their children. More than one in five (21%) of parents surveyed said their child’s diet had got worse because of the ongoing cost-of living-crisis.
Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “We know that parents are making big sacrifices so their children have the best food they can afford. However, they are coming up against high food costs and find nutritious food unaffordable. Families in poverty find it harder to buy, cook and eat good food, which can have a major impact on children’s health.”
In Falkirk, Barnardo’s Scotland runs the Equally Safe Service, a feature of which is a participation group called ‘Women Unite’ which meets once a month as well as taking part in additional activities within the local area. More often than not, conversation in the participation group turns to the issue of the cost-of-living crisis. One mum said: “Most of our money is spent on food and there is no money left over for other essentials.”
The group all agreed that they would like to buy better-quality foodstuffs such as fresh meat and other fresh produce, and even though they are aware of the low nutritional value, all spoke of buying “low-quality meat, ready meals, freezer food and supermarket own brands” due to financial pressures.
Several of the mums admitted to skipping meals so that the children could be fed, but they said that a lack of food left them feeling “drained, tired and frustrated”. One mum said: “The cost-of-living situation is shocking and it’s forcing low-income families into making poor choices.”
The YouGov polling features in a new Barnardo’s report – Nourishing the Future – which highlights growing evidence that far too many children and young people are missing out on nutritious food with a major impact on their health.
Recommendations from the report to the governments in each UK nation include measures to increase the value of healthy shopping vouchers given to families with young children living on the lowest budgets, making school lunches free for all primary school children, with an immediate extension to all families receiving Universal Credit, strengthening the rules on the quality of meals that schools can provide and using the proceeds of any future taxes on sugar or salt to reduce food insecurity.
Martin Crewe added: “Barnardo’s would like to see access to school meals be further expanded as soon as possible to all P6s and P7s – children can’t learn on an empty stomach, and we know that poverty can be a huge barrier to accessing education.
“The Scottish Government should also ensure that the Good Food Nation Plan fully addresses child health inequalities as part of its approach to child food poverty. It should proactively consult children, young people and families to make sure that their views and experiences are represented in the Plan.
“Analysis by experts has shown that we must move further and faster if we are to meet the child poverty targets. That’s why we’ve consistently asked the Scottish Government to increase the Scottish Child Payment to £30 per week on a route to £40.”
At Barnardo’s, our purpose is clear: Changing childhoods and changing lives, so that children, young people, and families are safe, happy, healthy, and hopeful. Last year, we worked with thousands of children across Scotland through more than 150 services and partnerships.
Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we provided essential support to 373,200 children, young people, parents and carers through more than 800 services and partnerships across the UK. This included 150-plus services in Scotland.
For more than 150 years, we’ve been here for the children and young people who need us most – bringing love, care and hope into their lives and giving them a place where they feel they belong.
Over the course of the financial year 2023-24, more than 16,000 people volunteered for Barnardo’s across the UK – a total of 1.7 million hours of their time. To donate, volunteer or fundraise, please visit: www.barnardos.org.uk/get-involved/raise-money.
