Going to bed at 7pm to keep the lights off: damning report shows impact of cost-of living crisis

Survey found that over one third of parents (37%) have had to cut back or go without heating their home in the past six months.

A mother who shares care of her children only tops up her electricity and gas meters when her children are at home, and goes without when they are with their father, just to make sure she still has enough for when they return.

Another described how her son needed GAA runners after getting blisters, but had not said anything about it. His parent felt so guilty but said: “Even if he had told me, I wouldn’t have been able to afford them”.