Recovery is not benefiting most families in Yorkshire, poll finds

TWO-THIRDS of parents in Yorkshire are not feeling the benefit of Britain's economic recovery since it began three years ago, according to a new poll.
Photo: PA.Photo: PA.
Photo: PA.

Figures published today also show almost a third of parents in the region with children 18 or under say their family finances have got worse in that time.

The survey’s findings are part of the children charity’s 4Children inquiry: Britain’s families: thriving or surviving? It has warned that too many families are struggling to make ends meet despite the upturn in the wider economy. The figures come from a poll carried out by YouGov.

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In Yorkshire 65 per cent of parents felt their family’s finances have not improved during the economic recovery.

Of those questioned 34 per cent of parents said their family’s overall finances have not changed over the last three years and 31 per cent said that their situation has got a little or a lot worse.

The poll was carried out nationally between December 23, last year, and January 3, this year.

Nationally the charity said that 42 per cent of those questioned said their family finances “could not cope” with the cost of replacing a broken boiler.

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4Children’s chief executive Imelda Redmond said: “Too many of Britain’s families are struggling to make ends meet, even as the wider economy is improving. Families in Yorkshire are no exception. We’ve spoken to hundreds of families as part of our inquiry into Britain’s Families in 2016. The message from them was clear: they’re working hard to make ends meet but quality family time is suffering as a result.

“Like many families across the country, families in Yorkshire are torn between working longer hours to provide more for their families and spending quality time together. We need to see better family friendly working conditions, especially for dads who are often missing out.” The online survey questioned 170 parents with children under the age of 18 in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Over a quarter of those (27 per cent) said they are missing out on family activities every weekend, because of work commitments.

A quarter of parents (25 per cent) miss dinner time at least once a week because of work. Parents were also asked about their children’s futures. Almost half (47 per cent) expected their child to have a job that pays a decent salary by the time they are 30. A similar number (46 per cent) expected their child to have found a job they enjoy. Just over a third (35 per cent) expect their child to be on the property ladder.