Mum on Universal Credit left skipping meals as she struggles to clothe toddler this winter

  • Saskia, 20, speaks to ITV News about her financial struggles as the cost of living rises

A mother who is studying with the hopes of becoming a midwife says she can not afford to eat breakfast or lunch as she tries to survive on just £5 a week.

Saskia says she constantly skips meals to ensure her two-year-old daughter Edie gets to eat.

The 20-year-old is a single mother living in Bristol with no family support. She says high nursery fees mean she is unable to work, as her childcare bill would cost more than she can earn.

So, while she studies to become a midwife in the hope of a brighter future, Saskia and Edie are living in a housing association property and are left with just £20 a month to live on.

While she keeps her financial struggles a secret from her daughter, Saskia says she fears Edie will think “Father Christmas loves her less” than other children.

'I work endlessly and get nowhere - sometimes I can't afford to shower'

“I don't want Edie to know that we don't have any money,” Saskia said. “I keep it all away from her and when I'm really struggling I just make sure there's food on the table for her and there's money to put the heating on.”

Saskia says winter brings particular challenges, as Edie needs new clothes and a warm house.

"I'm worried about keeping her warm because it's really hard to buy her loads of warm clothes,” she said.

“Because she's a toddler, she goes through clothes really quickly. It's worrying. I don't want her to be cold. But I can't afford to keep the heating on.”

Prioritising the needs of her daughter means Saskia regularly goes without herself.

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“After I've paid my main bills I'm left with about £20 a month to spend on Edie for things she needs like clothes,” Saskia said. “After that, I have no money to spend on myself. I eat dinner. I don't eat breakfast and lunch because it's too expensive.”

Like every parent, Saskia said she’d love to treat her little girl.

"It's really difficult knowing that I don't have all the money in the world to spoil her,” she said.

“Especially at Christmas and birthdays.

“When she starts school, I don't want her to think Father Christmas loves her less because she didn't get as much as some other children.”

Even Saskia’s plans to go to university come with their own set of worries.

“I’m doing an access to midwifery course which is expensive, but I’ve budgeted and taken expenditure from other places to try to better my situation and get to university,” she said.

Saskia is currently doing an access to midwifery course, with the hopes of going to university. Credit: ITV New

“But then just getting to university is another worry because of the distance it is from my home and the lack of financial help for students that are also parents.”

At the moment, the amount of Universal Credit people are entitled to changes depending on their age - with over-25s getting more.

Saskia is calling for this to change.

“I think if you’re a parent and under 25, you should get the same amount of standard living allowance as someone else does,” she said.

“Just because I’m a parent under 25 doesn’t mean I have any less bills. I have the same amount of bills, I have the same amount of rent, I still have to pay the same amount but I get about £80 less a month - that £80 would do so much for my family. I could afford to put the heading on, I could buy toys and clothes.”