Half of young mothers skip meals for their children

Around 50% of young mothers go without meals in order to make sure their children have enough, a study has found.

The Young Women's Trust survey found more than a quarter had to use a food bank to provide for their young ones.

The organisation polled more than 300 women aged under 25 with youngsters and found that two-thirds said they were only just managing financially.

The trust found there were a series of barriers that contribute to the strains on family budgets.

Most young mums said it would be easier to find work if they had access to cheaper childcare, jobs with flexible hours, part-time work and an employer sympathetic to pregnant women or mothers.

Young Women's Trust chief executive Carole Easton said the women they spoke to were clearly committed to their children's upbringing, but often faced "huge challenges".

Many, she said, suffered discrimination, isolation and financial difficulties.

"A shocking number are having to skip meals or turn to food banks in order to feed their children," she said.

"Young mums are telling us they want to work and become financially independent but they face huge barriers like discrimination from employers, a lack of available and affordable childcare, a lack of flexible working opportunities and inconsistent support from Jobcentre Plus.

"On top of that, they are entitled to less government support and lower wages because of their age."

The Trust said what was required was access to affordable childcare, better support for young women at job centres and more jobs on a flexible, part-time or job share basis.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "Encouragingly, the number of children living in working households is now at a record high but we want to go further.

"This is why we're taking steps like increasing the number of work coaches and doubling free childcare for three and four-year-olds.

"Every day our dedicated work coaches help thousands of people across the country, including young mothers, to get into work or access the support that they need."