PRESS RELEASE: First TransPennine
Written: Thursday 9th July, 2009
COST OF THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS
DRAFT NEWS COPY
Parents face a bill of more than #1,000 keeping the kids amused during the summer holidays, a study found yesterday (Weds).
Day trips, the extra cost of childcare, and buying DVDs and magazines will set mum and dad back #1,099 over the six-week break.
But the biggest expense comes from treating youngsters to day trips to attractions like theme parks and zoos, which cost on average #45.44 a time.
With an average of seven day trips each summer, that's a total of #318.08.
On top of that, a further #155.26 - #22.18 each time - is spent on travel to and from each attraction.
It also emerged more than two thirds of parents are 'worried' about the cost, with 16 per cent of those admitting they are 'seriously worried' about the end bill.
A spokesman for train operator First TransPennine Express, which carried out the poll, said: ''Having the kids at home for six weeks each summer leaves many parents worrying.
''Not only do they have the stress of what to do to keep the children entertained, but they have to worry about how much this is going to cost.
''And it's not just the cost of admission, food and drink - petrol prices have been creeping up again over the past few months so they face expensive travel bills as well.
''We realise that it is an expensive time for many parents and hope to help by allowing children to travel free on our trains this Summer.''
The poll of 1,500 parents also revealed that having the children at home during the summer means an extra #33.98 worth of food and drink is eaten each week - a total of #203.88 over the six-week holiday.
Fees for sports and leisure activities over the summer amounts to more than #96, while the cost of DVDs and magazines adds another #26.31 to the total.
Extra petrol used to ferry children around during the holidays sees parents part with another #51.23.
But with the children off school, parents also face higher childcare bills of #£26.20 a week - a total of #157.20 over the holiday period.
And the average parent also reckons they lose out on a further #90.56 by having to take unpaid time off work.
Researchers also found that almost three quarters of parents think they will spend less keeping their kids entertained this year than in previous years because of the recession.
And 78 per cent also plan to avoid the big attractions and do free activities closer to home.
But more than three quarters of mums and dads feel under pressure to make sure their children enjoy their six-week break from school.
Seventy-nine per cent also admitted they feel guilty for not being able to afford to do more of the things their youngsters want to do.
A spokesman for First TransPennine Express added: ''With the recession hitting everyone's bank balances, we are making it easier and cheaper to take the children for a day out or a stay away in some of the country's best-loved destinations.''
ENDS
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com
