Children wearing oversized shoes and pyjamas in the daytime as parents cut costs

Barnardos reports surge in parents using child benefit — which they would normally spend on key clothing items for children such as a winter coat, winter shoes, or summer items — to pay for essentials such as electricity and heat.

Children are wearing hand-me-down, oversized shoes and pyjamas in the daytime as parents cut costs to make ends meet, according to staff at Barnardos.

The charity’s employees have reported a surge in parents resorting to using child benefit — which they would normally spend on key clothing items for children such as a coat or shoes — to pay for electricity and heat.