Parents across Rutland are struggling with the cost of the summer holidays

Research by StepChange found one in six parents have used a credit card to pay for essential household bills in the last three months

Author: Aaliyah DublinPublished 7th Aug 2025

A charity in Rutland says parents could be paying back credit cards used during this summer holiday for the rest of the year.

It's as research by StepChange found one in six parents have used a credit card to pay for essential household bills in the last three months.

It can be really difficult for parents

23% of parents have used credit, loans or an overdraft to make it through to payday, almost double compared to all UK adults.

As well as this, 33% of parents with at least one child under 18 have no savings for a rainy day, compared to 23% of UK adults.

Clare Bryan, from Citizens Advice Rutland, said:

"It can be really difficult for parents because there are six weeks we need to entertain."

"For parents that are working, they might have a bit of guilt and want to do things with them on their day off."

"If parents have booked days out or childcare on credit cards, they're not seeing the immediate effect of that."

"So what's happening is you're paying for something in August, but you're continuing to pay for it for the rest of the year."

You're paying for something in August, but you're continuing to pay for it for the rest of the year

The charity are urging people to plan their summer budget and check local councils for grants and local libraries and parks for events.

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