A report by Welsh think-tank the Bevan Foundation, called Paying the Price of Being Poor, says that more needs to be done to help disadvantaged families in Wales pay basic utility bills and school expenses.
The report is particularly critical of the high cost of school uniforms and is calling for a national school uniform supplier in Wales to offer families an affordable selection.
According to latest Department for Children, School and Families figures, the average cost of school uniform, including PE kit, is £286 a year. The average cost of uniform for boys is £312.
The report says: "With many schools demanding a uniform or sports kit to be a certain design or style, parents are compelled to purchase items from school-nominated outlets or a designated retailer, where costs can be significantly higher."
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