One in four councils are offering school uniform help, as the average cost of a secondary school kit going over £400
Experts are calling on the government to standardise support for back-to-school costs across the UK, as families currently face a “postcode lottery” for support. The Department of Education reports that outfitting a child for school can cost about £343 for primary and £442 for secondary education.
For families finding it tough to make ends meet, the hefty price tag of school uniforms might push them towards credit cards, buy now pay later schemes, or doorstep lenders. However, assistance is available, albeit varying by location.
Only a quarter of councils in the UK offer any help with these expenses. In England, a mere 22 out of 153 local education authorities provide specific school uniform support this year according to Money Wellness.
In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, low-income families generally receive more consistent aid for uniforms, although the amount varies by region and can reach up to £200 per child.
Money Wellness experts are advocating for the introduction of a statutory school clothing grant in England, similar to the systems in other parts of the UK. This service, which offers free advice to those with money problems, often experiences a surge in demand as the new school year begins.
Adam Rolfe, Policy & Public Affairs Officer at Money Wellness said: “We’re helping more and more families who are falling behind on essential bills after paying for uniforms, stationery and school shoes. This isn’t a luxury spend. It’s a basic part of education. And the government must step in.
“We urgently need a consistent, national approach to school uniform support to ensure no child is disadvantaged simply because of where they live. Moving to non-uniform policies wouldn’t solve the issue either, as children from low-income households would still face pressure to wear branded or fashionable clothing they can’t afford. A fairer, properly funded solution is long overdue.”
Councils with dedicated support and amounts:
- Barnet – £100
- Barnsley – £100
- Bolton – £30
- City of London – £160
- Cumberland – £100
- East Riding of Yorkshire – £40
- Greenwich – £150
- Hackney – £100
- Hammersmith & Fulham – £79
- Haringey – £60
- Hounslow – £60
- Islington – £150
- Hull – £40
- North Lincolnshire – £30
- Rotherham – £70
- Sandwell – £25
- Southwark – £45
- Tower Hamlets – £150
- Wandsworth – £170
- Westmorland & Furness – £70
- Westminster – £150
- York – £100
Labour has announced plans to limit the number of branded items required for school uniforms starting September 2026, which could reduce overall costs. However, experts at Money Wellness caution that this measure won’t alleviate the immediate financial pressures parents face for the upcoming school year.
Rolfe expressed his concern, stating: “It’s deeply concerning that only a quarter of councils in England provide any formal support for school uniforms. The start of the school year should be an exciting time for children, not a financial burden for families who are already stressed about making ends meet.”
Even if your local council doesn’t offer specific uniform support, there may still be other avenues to explore for assistance. For instance, the Household Support Fund provided by local councils varies greatly depending on your location.
Money Wellness also spotlighted organisations such as The Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust, Salvation Army, food banks and baby banks which occasionally provide school uniform bundles or vouchers. It suggested doing the back-to-school shop during July or August when supermarkets often have multi-buy offers on basic items.