Posted: 01.12.2005
Immediate Release

A single parents' checklist for coping with Christmas has been drawn-up to ease the pressure of the holiday period on the one in four mums and dads raising their children single-handedly.

Produced by charities One Parent Families (Scotland), One Plus and One Parent Families (England & Wales) and with the support of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, 'Single Parents Ten Top Tips for Coping with Christmas' include pointers on juggling finances, sticking to a budget, agreeing contact arrangements with the non-resident parent and avoiding the pressure to overspend. There are tips on how to avoid isolation, how to get local support and on how to find low-cost treats for the children.

Christmas can be a financial and emotional pressure point for many of the 1.8m single parent families in Britain, one third of whom are having to live on gross incomes of less than £200 per week. The season can bring a sense of loneliness, especially to parents spending their first Christmas without a partner. The online Top Tips for Christmas include contact details for organisations providing practical information or emotional support and are available at www.opfs.org.uk

The charities and The Royal Bank of Scotland Group have also produced a free, four- page Factsheet on Dealing with Debt, for any single parent with money worries. Available from the Lone Parent Helpline - on 0808 801 0323 - Dealing with Debt offers pointers on prioritising debts and negotiating repayments. There's information on drawing up a budget and making savings on regular spending and an outline of the role of free, specialist money advisers and how they can help. The Factsheet also offers general advice to those facing debt emergencies - such as eviction, gas or electricity disconnection or the involvement of bailiffs in arrears recovery. Contact details for relevant organisations that can help are included.

Single parents suffer more from debt than other family types, with household bills often causing the biggest problems. Most single parents are working (57%) but on separation or divorce, mothers and children usually see a fall in income of about £20 per week. Less than one third (31%) of single parents receive child maintenance. Almost half (48%) of single parent families have been in arrears in the past year, one study found¹. Loss of income, low incomes and increased or unexpected expenses are the key reasons lone parents give for their debts.

Stephen Moir, Community Investment Manager for The Royal Bank of Scotland Group said,
"Christmas can be an expensive experience which presents an enormous challenge for many single parents. In such circumstances, we believe it important that sound advice is readily available to those struggling with money."

Marion Davis of Scottish Lone Parent organisation One Plus commented, "One parent families are twice as likely to live in poverty as two parent families. It is now well understood that this has a serious effect on the health and well being of lone parents and their children. Lone parents are more likely to be in debt to money lenders and other home collection credit providers than mainstream financial institutions; and more likely to be in arrears in utility payments and in other household payments.

"The run-up to Christmas can be an emotional pressure point for lone parents. The online 'Top Survival Tips for Christmas' are there as a source of advice and support to those parents who may be anxious about money and worried about feeling isolated or lonely during the break. The Lone Parent Helpline deals with many low-income parents who are desperate to avoid incurring debts. The free fact sheet 'Dealing with Debt'will make a difference to all the lone parents who want to get more control of their finances but need free, independent and trustworthy help."

Single parents can order the Dealing with Debt Factsheet from the Lone Parent Helpline on 0808 801 0323 (Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm). The single parents Tops Tips for Coping with Christmas are available at www.opfs.org.uk and www.oneplus.org.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group supports the Lone Parent Helpline which every month takes 2,000 calls from single parents wanting advice and information.

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Download Publications:

Download Christmas Top Ten Tips (Scotland) - PDF (46kb)
Download Dealing with Debt Factsheet (Scotland) - PDF (158kb)

Notes to Editors:

One Parent Families Scotland is a national organisation representing the 150,000 lone parents in Scotland. As well as operating the lone parent helpline in association with One Plus and One Parent Families, it produces a wide range of publications and runs local support and childcare services in various parts of Scotland.

One Plus is an independent organisation operating throughout Scotland which delivers new opportunities to lone parents and others facing disadvantage. The organisation works in partnership to offer advice and support, training, employment and care based services, whilst contributing to the regeneration of local communities. Lone parent and user involvement is central to the recognition of One Plus as a leading lone parent organisation and a key participant in Scotland's social economy. One Plus employs over 600 people with a turnover of around £9million. It has been in existence for 20 years.

One Parent Families is the leading national charity in England and Wales providing direct services to single parents and campaigning on their behalf. It runs the free Lone Parent Helpline in association with One Plus and One Parent Families Scotland and an advice service. In addition to producing a range of free publications on every aspect of one parent family life, it offers employment programmes to single parents who want to move back to the job market, working with private, public and other voluntary sector organisations to deliver these.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group has committed £1.5 million to the Lone Parent Helpline since 2002. The Bank also funds the charity’s series of booklets on money issues including benefits & tax and returning to education, training and employment. Last year, the Royal Bank of Scotland Group spent £40 million on its community investment programme - a wide-ranging portfolio of partnerships with organisations working in the areas of social and financial inclusion, education and enterprise.

References:

1) Kempson. E. McKay, S and Willitts, M (2004) Characteristics of Families and Debt and the Nature of Indebtedness, DWP, CDS Leeds © Crown copyright 2004.

Press Contacts:

One Plus

Marion Davis, Development/Policy Senior Manager
Tel: 0141 333 1450
Email: Marion.davis@oneplus.org
or
Carol MacInnes, Linda Young Public Relations
Tel: 0141 249 6735 /07739 774091
Email: carol@lypr.co.uk

One Parent Families Scotland

Ian Maxwell, Deputy Director
Tel: 0131 557 7892
Email: ianmaxwell@opfs.org.uk
Mob: 07887 500667

Royal Bank of Scotland Group

Colin Pyle, Group Media Relations
Tel: 0131 523 5659
Email: Colin.Pyle@rbs.co.uk
Mob: 07867 750927