Half of parents struggle with back-to-school costs

17 August 2009 1 min read Ross Watson Early Years Education

More than half of UK parents cannot afford the costs of sending their children back to school, according to a survey conducted by charities Save the Children and Family Action.

The findings revealed that 51 per cent of parents on an income below £30,000 cannot afford everything their child needs as they prepare for the first new school year since the start of the economic downturn. Uniforms were a particular concern among parents, with 43 per cent claiming they will struggle to afford it.

Published today, the survey also shows that 26 per cent of parents on a low income (£12,000 a year) will have to borrow money to afford all the back-to-school costs. Half of low-income families asked said they will have problems buying new shoes, while 28 per cent said they won't be able to buy their children a winter coat.

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