TENS of thousands of children in the South West are members of debt-plagued families, according to new research.
Almost 97,000 families in the region are failing to keep up with household bills and loan repayments, according to the results of a study by The Children's Society and StepChange Debt Charity.
An estimated 168,000 children in the region are living in families with debt problems.
Each struggling family is behind on payments by an average of £4,000 and across the region families owe a total of £396 million in bills and loans.
The study found that debt puts stress on relationships and "traps families in a downward spiral of borrowing".
The study says: "While household budgets up and down the country are under strain, families with dependent children face extra pressures as they are more likely to face unexpected bills and are less able to cope with sudden financial shocks such as redundancy, reduced hours or illness."
The Children's Society and StepChange Debt Charity are calling on the Government to take urgent measures to improve the situation.
A 'breathing space' scheme to give struggling families an extended period of protection from additional charges is one of the partnership's suggestions.
Another is to review whether the protection for children against harm caused by debt collection is working.
They also suggest providing more access to debt support and advice and urge the Government to impose tighter restrictions on advertising loans to children.
Chief executive of The Children's Society Matthew Reed said: "Families in the South West are increasingly relying on debt as a way to make ends meet.
" But we're in danger of ignoring the impact this is having on children now and in the future. We cannot allow children to pay the price of debt.
"With little savings to fall back on, it can take just one unexpected setback - like illness or being made redundant – to tip a family over the edge and into a debt trap that can feel impossible to escape from."
Mike O'Connor, chief executive of StepChange Debt Charity, said: "This research is a stark warning to policymakers, creditors and the wider society of the devastating effects of debt on children.
"Families face a unique set of pressures, but the sad reality is that for many parents credit which is often unsustainable has become the only way to cover their essential household bills."
