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Half of parents can’t afford to send their children back to school

Over half of parents can't afford all the 'back to school' costs, as children prepare for their first new school year since the recession hit.

Monday 17 August 2009

A new survey by Save the Children and Family Action has revealed that over half of the parents surveyed (51%) with an income below £30,000 (almost £2,000 more than the average UK income[1]) can't afford everything their children need for the start of the new school year.

For those parents who are unable to afford everything 43% say they are likely to have problems buying the school uniform, whilst 26% say they won’t be able to buy their children the full PE kit and 19% the books and equipment which their children need. 52% said they would be cutting back on essentials such as paying bills or food and 48% will have to miss out on buying certain items. 

The survey comes as a grants scheme set up in the wake of the recession by Save the Children and Family Action, sponsored by British Gas, has seen a large number of applicants asking for financial help to meet the costs of sending their children back to school [2].

For those respondents on low incomes (below £12,000 a year) 59% cannot afford everything their children need to return to school. 50% say they are likely to have problems buying new shoes while 28% say they will have to miss out on buying their children a winter coat.  Over a quarter (26%) say they will have to borrow money.

Eleri Thomas, Save the Children’s Director Wales, said: “Families living in poverty often have just £20 to spend on food each week so to find the money to cover all the back to school costs is impossible. Even buying the cheapest school uniforms does little to keep the costs down once you take into account all the extras such as a winter coat and any books or equipment they might need.

“It is unacceptable that many parents, especially those on a low income, cannot afford to buy their children a winter coat or new shoes. Parents should not have to risk getting into debt or leaving their children without such basic essentials. The Government must ensure families who are struggling to afford school costs can at least get a uniform grant from their local authority. However, this is just one thing they need to do if they are to end child poverty in the UK by 2020.”

Helen Dent, CEO Family Action said: “The start of term should be an exciting time when parents and children look forward to the future — not one they dread for fear of getting into deeper debt.” 

The survey also revealed that for parents who can’t afford everything their children need for school this year 35% are worried that their children will get into trouble at school for not having everything and 28% are worried that their children’s education will suffer. The biggest concern is that their children will stand out from other children (47%).

According to government figures households on a low income will have to find over £600 to get their child through primary school each year and by the time they get to secondary school those costs have topped a £1000 a year.[3]

Research has shown that almost 57% [4]of local councils in (England and Wales) no longer provide clothing grants that many low-income families rely upon to buy school uniforms with — despite the 1996 Education Act requiring councils to help families afford school uniforms so children aren’t disadvantaged.  

Find out more

Read about Save the Children's child poverty work in the UK.

Read the survey results (PDF 85KB).

[1] The average household income calculated for a family of two adults and two children (aged 5 and 12) would be 28,610 source: HBAI 2007/8
[2] Save the Children & Family action have distributed £5,600 to over 32 families to help them meet the ‘back to school costs’.
[3] Cost of Schooling 2007 DCSF
[4] Citizen’s advice research 2007