'I can't afford a second child'

Martin Ignats said nursery and food bills are rising all the time

Parents struggling with childcare and living costs say they cannot have any more children because they simply cannot afford it.

Ahead of the new Labour Government's first budget on Wednesday, the BBC has been speaking to parents and carers at a soft play and café called "Boing!" in Knowle West, south Bristol.

It is run by a not-for-profit community interest company, in a traditionally working class area of the city, where many say the cost of living crisis continues to make raising children a struggle.

Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out her spending plans on Wednesday, a budget the Prime Minister has already warned will be 'painful.'

Sophie Rowe from Bristol says she's "used to being poor"

"There's so many more people struggling than 10 years ago," said Sophie Rowe, who's with her daughter Chloe and granddaughter Mabel.

She added that she "is used to be being poor" and has little hope this week's budget will improve her finances.

"It's crept in, and then leapt in after Covid," she adds. "Truthfully I don't' see it getting any better, I don't think the budget is going to change anything for people."

Her daughter Chloe meanwhile, said that cost of living pressures are more acute as winter approaches.

"We've been booking things to do over the Christmas period and it is so, so expensive," she said.

Chloe's biggest monthly outgoing is her electric bill.

"I live in a small flat and it's £200 a month," she said.

"We don't put our heating on until late November, and the year before last I only had it on for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day."

Three-year-old Mabel is Chloe's only child, who says family budgeting has been a steep learning experience.

"I didn't know how expensive children were until I had one. I count myself lucky I only have one child," she said.

The idea that money worries are stopping parents having more children crops up regularly. Martin Ignats is with his young son who is due to have his birthday party at Boing! in a few weeks time.

"Nursery prices, food prices, everything rises and it just diminishes your chance of having a second child. It's not an option for us, and we're working parents," he said.

Gemma Nutt said she is not "expecting miracles" in the budget

The parliamentary constituency of Bristol South has only ever been represented by Labour. Many here voted for the party in the summer's general election and have waited a long time to see them gain power.

"They're not putting enough money into the schools or the local areas," said Georgia, who has three children.

"They need to step up their game, and think about people with children," she added.

Others though are willing to wait longer. Gemma, who is with her son Baxter says: "We need to give them a little bit more time. We've had a Conservative government for 14 years. We can't expect miracles.

"There are going to have to be some hard choices, but if we persevere and let them explore different ways of doing things then hopefully it will work out."