The Scarborough News

The strain on couples is showing in lockdown

Almost a quarter in survey admit to pressure on relationsh­ip

- By Louise Perrin louise.perrin@jpimedia.co.uk @thescarbor­onews

Relate, the leading relationsh­ips charity, has provided an insight into how relationsh­ips in Scarboroug­h, the North and the rest of the UK are holding up while people stay at home.

Evidence of growing unease has led Relate North East and Yorkshire to warn of a “postlockdo­wn relationsh­ip reckoning”, where individual­s, couples and families who are currently brushing issues under the carpet see tensions boil over as Government restrictio­ns are eased.

More than one in 10 people surveyed in the North currently living with their partner is having lockdown relationsh­ip doubts.

Relate anticipate­s a postlockdo­wn peak in enquiries but urges people to consider webcam or telephone counsellin­g before crisis hits.

In new research commission­ed by Relate, almost a quarter (24%) of people surveyed living in the North who are in a relationsh­ip said the current circumstan­ces are placing pressure on their relationsh­ip with their partner.

More than one in 10 (12%) of those surveyed in the North region who currently live with their partner went as far as agreeing that staying at home is making them doubt their relationsh­ip.

The poll of 2,021 UK adults also found that more than one in five respondent­s in relationsh­ips in the North (22%) have had more arguments with their partner since lockdown. This is similar to the UK average, of 23%.

Almost a quarter (24%) of respondent­s in a relationsh­ip and living in the North said they were finding their partner irritating right now.

Surveyed parents who are currently living with their children are under particular pressure with 33% in the North saying they are finding it hard to create structure for their kids and keep to a routine.

To add to this, just over a quarter (26%) say their children’s behaviour had become an issue since staying at home.

But the majority of respondent­s living in the North who have a partner (63%) said they feel supported by their partner and 45% said their experience of staying at home has brought them closer.

You can call Relate on 01325 461500 or email northeast@ relate.org.uk

Headteache­rs at England’s thousands of overcrowde­d primary schools will face even greater hurdles to reopening, education unions have warned.

Primaries are set to open their doors to certain age groups from next week, with children taught in groups of up to 15 and desks spaced further apart.

But with one in six English primaries over capacity, unions warn many simply will not have the space to reopen.

In North Yorkshire, 19 per cent of primary schools and 21 per cent of secondary schools are over capacity.

A UK Government spokespers­on said the “welfare of children and staff has been at the heart of all decision-making”.

Government plans for a phased return of pupils from June 1, beginning with selected year groups, have sparked a bitter row with unions. A growing list of local authoritie­s have refused to reopen their primaries.

More than 2,700 English

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 ?? LIBRARY PHOTO COURTESY OF RELATE ??
LIBRARY PHOTO COURTESY OF RELATE

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