Cost of living crisis: Heartbroken mum tells son, 10, he won't be getting any Christmas presents

Watch: Heartbroken mum forced to tell her 10-year-old son he won't be getting any Christmas presents this year

A single mum has had to tell her 10-year-old son he won't be getting any Christmas presents this year as she struggles to make ends meet due to the cost of living crisis.

Christine Borton, 48, has been forced to survive on food banks and Universal Credit since April after being left unemployed due to medical reasons.

But the single mother-of-three says even those don't cover her monthly bills and her family are facing a "desperate" winter as fuel and electricity bills continue to rise.

She is now trying to plan ahead to get through the next few months, which involved telling young son Dayjanta Samuels not to expect any gifts on Christmas Day as she can't afford it.

Heartbreakingly, she said her son told her he "wasn't surprised" and "already knew" that would be the case.

Borton, who has two grown up children and lives with Dayjanta in Wednesbury, West Midlands, said: "Life is tough right now. I’m unable to cover all my outgoings, I can’t cover my basic needs never mind presents.

"I told Dayjanta about four weeks ago. I told him there wouldn’t be any presents. It broke my heart.

"He has been looking forward to a Christmas present but he realises now it won’t happen. I think in a way he already knew. It wasn't a surprise. He understands we don’t have the funds for it.

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“He knows the situation, he doesn’t ask for sweets and ice-cream, he's pretty laid back and just says: 'Don’t worry man'.

"I am very worried about the next few months. Dayjanta looks at the electric meter and keeps telling me how much we’ve used – he’s obsessed about our finances all the time. A 10-year-old kid shouldn't have to worry about that.

"My little one is looking at the gas and electric and screaming at the levels. Before you know it they need topping up and you can’t afford food.

"I’m even behind on my rent here already, there’s just not enough money."

Borton, who is trying to get back into work, called on the government to support struggling families better during the winter.

She added: "The only plan I have is to get a job, and trust me I have tried. Now my bills are nearly £1,200 and my Universal Credit doesn’t cover that.

She said she looks for offers when she shops and uses food banks, but is still struggling to make ends meet.

"I don’t think the government really cares," she said. "They have given a bit of money to help with energy – but what about gas? What about food?

"Sometimes I just want to scream and pack up and leave but where am I going to go?"