StepChange shares tips for parents worried about debt during summer holidays

^{8 July 2025}

New YouGov polling reveals the financial pressures facing parents ahead of the school summer holidays. According to the research commissioned by StepChange Debt Charity:

• One in three (33%) parents with at least one child under 18 have no savings for a rainy day, this compares to under one in four (23%) UK adults.
• One in six (16%) parents with at least one child under 18 have used a credit card to pay for essential household bills in the last three months, compared to one in ten (10%) UK adults.
• One in four (23%) of parents with at least one child under 18 have used credit, loans or an overdraft to make it through to payday, almost double compared to all UK adults (12%).

Almost half of StepChange’s clients are parents with dependent children, and the charity knows first-hand how cost of living and debt pressures can be felt by parents more acutely.

StepChange has shared its top tips for parents worried about their finances this summer, on how to avoid debt problems and have fun with family over summer with a tight budget:

1. Plan your summer budget: It might sound simple but having a detailed budget can help to keep track of your finances and how much disposable income you have to go toward activities, food, any planned holidays and other costs. StepChange has some useful budget templates on its website.
2. If your child is eligible free-school meals, you should check what your local council has on offer as part of the Holiday activities and food programme, which provides healthy meals, enriching activities, and free childcare places to children from low-income families.
3. Many large supermarkets offer ‘kids eat free’ or for £1 deals, which is worth checking out at your local supermarket.
4. Check out what’s on offer from your local library. There are often lots of free or cheap activities on offer – including the Summer Reading Challenge, which launched on the 5th of July and encourages kids to keep reading (for free!) over the summer.
5. Be mindful when relying on credit cards, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), or other forms of credit. Before borrowing, ask: Do I need it? Can I afford it? Can I pay it off soon? Avoid extra charges and build trust by staying in control.
6. Check if your local council offers any grants for school uniform. It may feel early to be thinking about this, but it’s worth factoring it into your summer budget before September rolls around.
7. If you are struggling with financial commitments or credit repayments, speak to your creditors who will have support in place. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with a free debt advice organisation like StepChange if you’re worried about debt.

Simon Trevethick, Head of Communications at StepChange Debt Charity, said:

"Rainy day savings can be a lifeline for dealing with unexpected costs, but the rising cost of living has made it harder and harder to save – something which is felt particularly by parents with school age children. The summer holidays can bring a lot of excitement for families, but with that can be money worries of how to keep the kids entertained, cover any childcare costs and put food on the table.

"While it can be tricky, it’s important to not pressure yourself into spending more than you can afford and risk triggering debt problems – it’s definitely possible to have fun and make memories on a budget. If you are relying on credit to cover costs during summer while finances are tight, always be mindful of repayments in a month or two and whether those will be affordable. Remember, if you are struggling with debt, you’re not alone – at StepChange we can offer free and impartial advice that will help you get back on track."

Notes to Editors

1. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,235 adults. This includes a sub-set of 467 parents with at least one child under 18. Fieldwork was undertaken between 7th - 8th May 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).