STRUGGLING parents would avoid celebrating Christmas if they could this year, owing to financial and mental-health pressures arising from the coronavirus pandemic, new research reveals today.

Action for Children charity asked more than 2,000 parents and children about their concerns ahead of Christmas.

Seventeen per cent of the parents said they would choose to “cancel” Christmas, while 57 per cent of children think that their parents are worried about making the celebration a happy time for the family.

Forty-six per cent of parents on universal credit said that they were facing their first Christmas as benefit claimants, with 41 per cent of them wishing they could cancel Christmas and 55 per cent reporting plans to delay paying bills, borrow money or sell belongings.

The charity’s chief executive Carol Iddon said: “Parents are wishing away the pressure of the festive season.” 

She also urged the government not to reduce benefits payments next year.

Polling also revealed that 49 per cent of the children reported feeling anxiety, 33 per cent felt lonely and 26 per cent felt angry.