A third of parents in the South West are rationing their heating to save money, according to new research.

The figures revealed in the National Parent Survey, conducted by YouGov for Parentkind, suggest 280,000 children could be living in potentially cold, damp homes as a result.

The survey also found one in three parents in the region are financially struggling, with 22 per cent falling into debt each month.

Almost a quarter worry about paying their rent or mortgage, and 15 per cent have skipped meals in the past year to save money.

Parentkind's survey also shed light on parents' views on education and whether they feel valued by society.

The charity's CEO, Jason Elsom, said: "This large-scale parent survey is an important insight into what is really going on with families across the UK and what parents really think.

"Too many parents tell us they are unhappy most of the time, with parent mental health concerns a big worry.

"It’s no wonder the cost of school worries parents, with all the little extras adding up.

"The National Parent Survey is one of the biggest parent polls in Britain and is a wake up call to policy makers to put parents first, listen to their concerns and make life better for parents."

In the South West, 39 per cent of parents do not feel valued by society, surpassing the national average of 28 per cent.

Despite financial struggles, 46 per cent of working parents in the region have reduced their working hours to spend more time with their children.

Parents across the UK are also finding it difficult to meet school expenses, with half of South West parents citing uniforms, school trips, and school meals as concerns.

Support for universal free school meals is high, with 75 per cent in favour, increasing to 85 per cent for primary school children.

The survey also highlighted parents' concerns over the increasing screen time of their children.

More than half of the parents in the South West are worried about the time their children spend on electronic devices.

This has led to disagreements with their children and has impacted family time, sleep, and behaviour, some parents said.

Mental health also remains a significant concern, with almost three in 10 parents in the region reporting poor mental health over the past year.

Of these, more than half have sought medical help, and a similar number have withdrawn from friends and family.