The cost of living crisis is to blame for parents having less time to read, play, and cook healthy meals with their children, a new poll has claimed.

UNICEF UK said many parents are working more, with a large number saying their finances are “stretched to the limit”.

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This has forced many to cut back on activities, sports clubs and cut spending on books, toys and crafting materials, the poll found.

The survey also found:

• 30% reported working more hours in the past year due to increased financial pressures, with 37% having less time with their children
• 71% said their family budget is “stretched to the limit” with 56% reporting cutting back on playgroups and sporting activities and half cutting back on books, toys and crafts
• 71% said they feel it is harder being a parent now compared to their parents’ generation due to the rising cost of living, spending less time with their children and a lack of childcare
• 50% said they cannot afford to give their children the life they want to

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Jon Sparkes, chief executive of UNICEF UK, said: “These findings provide a stark snapshot into the reality for many families with babies and young children right now – worried for their children’s future, struggling to make ends meet and left feeling anxious, alone, and unsupported.

“The fact that it’s the most disadvantaged families who are struggling more and who are least likely to have accessed support, means we risk cementing inequalities in children’s lives before they’ve even picked up a pencil.”

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A government spokesperson said: “This government is determined to help parents, rolling out the single biggest investment in childcare in England ever, expanding 30 free hours of childcare for working parents which will save eligible working parents up to an average of £6,500 per year.”

The YouGov poll conducted on behalf of the children’s charity questioned 2,661 British parents of children aged four and under.

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