Many parents `concerned about mortgage repayments`

A considerable number of parents in the UK are reporting stress due to financial concerns.

According to research conducted by Post Office Insurance, 48 per cent of parents polled were worried about paying the weekly food bill.

It was also found that 64 per cent of respondents were concerned about monthly bills such as rent or mortgage repayments, with the recession causing a rise in debt problems.

Responding to the findings, Duncan Caesar-Gordon, head of protection products at the Post Office, said: "Understandably, the recession has got everyone keeping an eye on their finances, but unfortunately the downturn has caused stress for millions."

He added that people should seek advice if they find themselves facing financial difficulties and should avoid engaging in vices such as alcohol as a means of coping with problems.

Recently, the Bank of England released figures which suggested that the number of people who were unable to repay mortgages and other debts rose over the last three months.