Single mother Keri Barlow is among those feeling the pinch of rising prices. Working around her daughter Karys’s school times might soon no longer be enough. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0607543)

A SINGLE mum might be forced to work more hours if prices continue to rise.

Keri Barlow, 22, has a five-year-old daughter, Karys, and currently works part-time at Nerine Trust as a trust and company administrator.

She said the high cost of living means she might have to extend her hours to pay her spiralling bills.  ‘Last year I was working full-time and paying for childcare. Now Karys is at school I have been able to work my hours around her school times, but if things keep going up I will have to go back to how I was last year,’ she said.

Miss Barlow lives with her daughter in a flat at Delancey Court. She said the cost of childcare was also a worry. ‘Childcare prices are horrendous and people have to pay silly amounts.’