The hidden cost of parenting in 2025: New data shows families are cutting back on food, fuel and fun
Latest ONS data shows parents are more likely than non-parents to borrow, skip bills, or cut back on essentials
If you’re a parent who’s been sweating over the weekly shop or eyeing the energy bill with dread, you’re not alone.
New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that families, particularly single-parent households, are bearing the brunt of Britain’s ongoing cost-of-living crunch.
Family budgets are stretched to breaking point
The March 2025 update from the ONS's Opinions and Lifestyle Survey reveals that one in three parents in the UK would be unable to pay a necessary, unexpected expense of £850.
The pressure is even more intense for single parents: a staggering 64% of adults living alone with at least one dependent child say they couldn’t afford such a cost.
And it’s not just about one-off expenses. Around one in five of these single-parent households (20%) reported running out of food and being unable to buy more in the past fortnight — ten times the national average.
Borrowing to stay afloat
With prices still climbing, many families are turning to borrowing.
Over a third of parents (34%) said they’d borrowed more money than usual in the past month, compared with just 17% of non-parents.
Among single parents, nearly half (49%) had to borrow more — a worrying sign that many are living in financial survival mode.
One in four single parents (27%) admitted they’d been unable to pay a bill or standing order in the past month.
Cost-cutting comes at a cost
To cope with rising expenses, parents are making significant sacrifices.
Over half of single-parent households (58%) said they were spending less on food and essentials, and nearly half (47%) were using less fuel at home — an issue that can have knock-on effects on children’s comfort, nutrition, and wellbeing.
The use of credit and support from charities is also rising. More than a third of single parents (35%) are relying more heavily on credit, and 17% have turned to charity support — compared with just 2% of two-parent households.
“We’ve cut back on everything”
The ONS didn’t collect direct quotes from parents in this survey, but previous reports have highlighted the emotional toll of constant budgeting and cost-cutting.
Parents have told MadeForMums in the past that they’ve had to limit heating to just one room, stop extracurricular activities for their children, and rely on school meal programmes to get through the week.
The age group most under pressure
The financial pressure isn’t evenly spread across age groups. Parents aged 30–49 — many of whom have school-aged children — are most likely to be struggling. They were more likely than any other age group to:
- Be unable to afford an unexpected £850 cost (28%)
- Borrow more money than usual (28%)
- Miss a bill payment (7%)
This age group is also most likely to be juggling high childcare costs, rising rent or mortgage payments, and everyday family expenses.
How are renters faring?
Families in rented homes are also feeling the pinch.
Renters are more likely than homeowners to be unable to pay surprise costs, miss bill payments, or run out of food.
Those in council or housing association properties are especially vulnerable — 66% said they couldn’t afford an unexpected £850 expense, and 14% had run out of food recently.
What can parents do?
While there’s no magic fix, financial experts suggest these practical steps:
- Check what help you’re entitled to – from Universal Credit adjustments to energy bill grants, small top-ups can make a big difference.
- Speak to your school – many offer support with uniform, meals, or trips discreetly.
- Get budgeting help – free services like StepChange or Citizens Advice can help you find breathing room.
- Connect locally – food banks, community kitchens, and warm hubs are still active in many areas.
With food costs stubbornly high and family incomes not keeping pace, the latest data paints a stark picture — but it also shows that parents are doing their best to shield their kids from the financial fallout.
As always, MadeForMums will keep sharing advice, resources and parent-led stories to help you navigate whatever’s next.
Source: Office for National Statistics, Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: March 2025
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.