One in five fear no festive fun for families

AROUND a fifth of adults are concerned that some families will not have a Christmas dinner or presents this festive season, according to a poll.

Fears that families will go without are as common as worries about spending too much money at Christmas, a Barnardo’s survey found. The charity warned that vulnerable children across the UK can struggle at this time of year, with many of the families it supports missing out on the “fun and celebration” normally associated with the season.

Overall, 19 per cent of the more than 2,000 adults questioned said they are concerned that there are some children and families who will go without a Christmas meal or presents this year.

The same proportion are worried about spending too much on the holiday, while more than one in four are concerned about the commercialisation of Christmas.

Around six per cent said they were worried about their mental health during the Christmas period. The survey also found that, while there were concerns about some children missing out, around a fifth said children in their family will be given between 11 and 20 presents.

Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan said: “Vulnerable children across the UK will struggle this Christmas.”