Nearly half of parents across Scotland are finding it more difficult to pay their household bills

Research conducted by Ipsos Scotland on behalf of Parenting Across Scotland has found that almost half of Scottish parents (46%) are finding it more difficult to afford their household bills. In November/December 2021, 47% of parents surveyed also said that they had had to make reductions in the amount of money they could put aside or save for the future. Around one in five parents in Scotland had experienced a reduction in earnings (22%) or working hours (18%) in the last year. Those living in the most financially vulnerable circumstances were more likely to have experienced these challenges compared to more affluent families.

The research was carried out using Ipsos Scotland’s Parents Omnibus Survey, which interviewed a representative sample of 1,004 parents across Scotland. The fieldwork took place between 1st November and 2nd December 2021 and was carried out by telephone.

Clare Simpson, Manager of Parenting across Scotland said,

It is really worrying that even before soaring energy bills, high cost of living increases and rising energy prices we’re facing now, families were finding it difficult to manage financially. It is concerning how widespread this is and means that many families who were ‘just managing’ are likely to be plunged into poverty. There is an urgent need for immediate targeted action from the UK and Scottish Governments to ensure that families are protected from financial hardship.

Technical note

• Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,004 parents across Scotland.  
• Interviews were conducted by telephone 1 November – 2 December 2021.  
• Data are weighted on age of parent, working status, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) and age of child.
• Where results do not sum to 100%, this may be due to computer rounding, multiple responses, or the exclusion of “don’t know” categories.