My close friend recently lost her husband. She will be returning to the UK later this year after living overseas for many years. I am helping her to make plans and would be so grateful for any advice which people can offer regarding living expenses for a single parent in the UK. As I am also living overseas I am very out of touch and I wasn't a parent when I last lived in the UK!
She will hopefully have some savings to get started but will need to look for a job fairly quickly and things are likely to be quite tight. She has 3 children aged 10, 12 and 13 and would be planning to live in or near Leamington Spa. If anyone in a similar situation would be willing to share information on living expenses such as rent, grocery bills, transport etc that would be a great help. Are there affordable options for childcare over the school holidays if she manages to get a job?
Thank you for any help/ advice. This is a very difficult time for her and if we can help to smooth the transition to life in the UK and make realistic plans for the future then that would be a positive thing.