THERE has been a sharp rise in the number of north west families with disabled children going without heating and food - leading to ill health.

Charity, Contact a Family, is calling on the government and energy companies to address the trend, revealed in their recent report.

The charity is asking the government to ensure the welfare system reflects the extra costs and barriers to work that families with disabled children face, energy companies to offer discounts to households with a disabled child and for more families with disabled children to get in touch with Contact a Family for advice.

Amanda Batten, Contact a Family chief executive, said: “Increased living costs and cuts to financial support have left some north west families with disabled children reeling. Despite the economy showing signs of recovery, families with disabled children are not optimistic about the coming years. Instead they feel they are facing an increasingly precarious financial future.

“These money worries are putting huge emotional and mental strain on the families we work with. The impact is affecting their health, relationships and in some cases is making their child’s condition worse. That’s why we are calling on the government and energy companies to help and for more families with disabled children to get in touch with us for advice.”

Anyone affected can call Contact a Family on 0808 808 3555 or visit cafamily.org.uk