Oldham parents have shared how they are struggling to make ends meet in the face of soaring costs and childcare fees.

The cost-of-living crisis is devastating parents across the borough who claim childcare, food, heating and fuel are far outstripping their wages.

Oldham is already home to some of the highest rates of child poverty in England according to the End Child Poverty Coalition.

But some families are turning to food banks for the first time now that bills have risen dramatically and many fear the crisis is only going to push more families into the margins of severe poverty.

Krissie-Ann Lees, who lives with her daughter in Oldham, said her mental health has plummeted as she tries to juggle costs.

The biggest issue for her is finding childcare that will look after her six-year-old until 6pm, which she says is vital as she needs to work longer hours just to be able to afford the costs.

Ms Lees added: “I had an emotional breakdown yesterday with it all.

“Food is so expensive and then there’s the energy situation, council tax goes up every year anyway, but it’s becoming extremely difficult to get by now.

“It is very difficult to provide my daughter with new things.

“Her school uniform is outgrown and her shoes are too small.

“I don’t go out, I’ve never taken her on holiday. It’s just so sad.”

The Oldham Times: Parents are cutting after-school activities for their children in order to make ends meet. Image by PAParents are cutting after-school activities for their children in order to make ends meet. Image by PA

Another mother in Royton who did not want to be identified said both her and her partner work 45 hours each every week, yet they are still crippled by childcare fees.

Their two children are aged six and two but childcare costs them an eye-watering £1,200 a month.

The social care worker said: “It takes a huge chunk of our monthly income.

“We only get about £400 back from Universal Credit to help towards the costs, but we’re unable to enjoy things like days out and other luxuries.

“Once the childcare is paid, we have to plan to the pound our budget and stretch it until the following months’ payday."

“It’s really difficult”, she added.

The 25-year-old pointed out the irony in that she often has referrals to help people with budgeting advice and access to food banks through her work.

She said: “It seems so wrong that I’m not far off from my clients’ position.

“It’s very disheartening.”

Michael Crompton, also from Royton, said the problem is that wages have remained stagnant while costs continue to hike.

Mr Crompton said: “Wages are extremely low now – in no way have they kept in touch with the price of anything these days.

“There was a time not too long ago when one parent working full time and the other part-time would be easily sufficient to bring up a family, buy a house, car and have a holiday.

“Work more hours they say, and what? Have zero quality time at home.

“The country is in crisis and something drastic needs to happen, now”, he added.

The Oldham Times: Exorbitant childcare costs is exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis for the majority of parents. Image by PAExorbitant childcare costs is exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis for the majority of parents. Image by PA

Meanwhile, another parent who chose to remain anonymous said that both her and her husband work a decent wage but that they are struggling with costs.

She said: “We don’t have Sky TV or the most-up-to-date phone but we haven’t had our heating on for the past four months because we’re scared of the cost.

“We have had to use food banks twice because we cannot afford to feed our two children”.

The 32-year-old said she has had to make sacrifices in order to pay the gas bill which shot up from £65 to £255 per month.

Unfortunately, this has meant no more after-school activities for her two children, aged eight and three.

“My children have now had to quit their after-school activities due to the rising cost.

“It makes me feel like a rubbish mum that I can no longer pay for it."

“I’d hate to imagine how those worse off from us are coping”, she added.