The Government has issued a reminder to parents ahead of the new school year
Parents are being urged to check for two things before the new school year starts. The Government has told families to check their local council’s website for two key things: the date their child starts school this September and whether they qualify for any financial help.
The reminder comes as household budgets remain under severe strain from rising food and transport bills. A Government spokesperson said on X: “If your child is starting or returning to school this September, don’t forget to check your local council’s website for their start date and any financial support you might be eligible for.”
Below are some of the schemes you may be able to take up if you have children of school age:
Free school meals worth £500 a year
Families are being reminded that free school meals can save around £495 to £500 a year per child. Currently, all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to free meals.
From September 2026, the scheme will be extended so that all children in households on Universal Credit automatically qualify. In London, where a separate mayoral programme is in place, the saving is estimated to be over £500 per pupil.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, said: “Making sure that children have hungry minds, not hungry bellies, will help them to fulfil their potential in life, and that is what this Government is all about. Our historic expansion of free school meals to families on universal credit will lift 100,000 children out of poverty and tackle term-time hunger. ”
Uniform costs
For families in England, grants can cover up to £200 per child for uniform support – though availability varies by council, and eligibility frequently aligns with free school meal status. In Wales, the School Essentials Grant opens from 1 July 2025, offering £125 per pupil – and £200 for Year 7 students – covering uniforms, school equipment, and other essentials.
The Government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, currently in the House of Lords, will limit most schools to just three branded uniform items – plus one branded tie for secondary pupils. This change alone is expected to save parents around £50 per child, easing back-to-school spending for 4.2 million pupils, equating to £73 million saved annually.
School transport support worth hundreds
Parents of older children may also be able to claim free school transport, with some councils offering help worth hundreds of pounds a year. Eligibility varies, but children from families receiving free school meals or those with special educational needs are often entitled to assistance.
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Spending on special needs transport alone has doubled since 2015, hitting a record £2.26 billion last year.
Together, the support on offer could add up to thousands of pounds in savings for struggling families. Experts warn that many parents miss out each year simply because they don’t know they are entitled or fail to apply in time.
With the new school term only days away, councils are warning parents to check and make any applications you need to.