Analysis from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) found that an estimated 235,219 people had cut back on hobbies and leisure activities for their children in the past year. This includes things like after school clubs, school trips and parties.

Meanwhile, an estimated 336,027 had cut back on clothes and accessories for their kids.

CAS is running “Worried this winter” a campaign encouraging people to seek advice from the network in a variety of ways. People can visit www.cas.org.uk/worried and from there they can choose an option that works for them such as:

• Check online advice pages or interactive self-help tools like www.moneymap.scot
• Use specialist services like the Money Talk Tea
• Find their local CAB if they feel they need one to one advice

Last year the average gain from energy related advice from across the network was more than £400. Advice gains generally for those who saw a benefit was over £3,700.

CAS social justice spokesperson, Emma Jackson, said: “This is absolutely heartbreaking research in the run up to Christmas. Every parent wants to treat their child and give them the best in life, but soaring energy bills have seen hundreds of thousands of people forced to cut back.

“People who are worried about money or bills this winter should know that the Citizens Advice network is here for them. That doesn’t necessarily mean one to one advice in a local CAB – we have online advice pages and self-help tools that help people see where they could boost their income or cut costs.

“The CAB network gets incredible results for people. Last year the average gain for someone who saw one after seeking advice was over £3,700. That can be absolutely life changing money this winter. We don’t judge, we just help.”