‘No mother or father ought to lie awake worrying about uniform prices or breakfast when assistance is there’
EXCLUSIVE: Education Secretary Lucy Powell says many parents are missing out on cost-saving help for school simply because they do not know they have a right to more support
Parents can save hundreds of pounds with back to school help
The start of the school year for children across the country is full of excitement: reuniting with friends, meeting new teachers and, for many, exploring a new school.
For us parents, however, September can bring a sense of dread as the back-to-school bills come flooding in. School uniforms, lunches and childcare all need to be organised and paid for on top of everyday household bills.
That’s why I want every parent to get the support they are entitled to. From the start of term, families across the country can benefit from more support with back-to-school costs through thousands of free breakfast clubs across the country, childcare support, cheaper school uniforms and importantly our historic expansion of free school meals to three million children.
But I know that many parents are missing out simply because they do not know they have a right to more support. Some of this is down to perception. We assume that help is only for those in the toughest circumstances. While those families absolutely benefit, we have expanded support to help many more families manage back-to-school costs.
As a parent, I know that our focus is on seeing our children happy, confident and thriving at school. But too often, the pressure of household bills can distract us from that.
And research shows that around a third are cutting back on treats and snacks or are turning to batch cooking to make their budgets stretch further during term time, while one in ten have relied on a food bank or community service for support.
The variety of support now on offer for families could have a huge impact. Families benefiting from free school meals, free breakfast clubs and cheaper uniforms could save up to £1,200 per child. Eligible working parents using government-funded childcare could save up to £8,000 a year per child.
No parent should be lying awake at night worrying about uniform costs or breakfast when help is available. I urge every family, as we head back to school and nursery, to check whether they are eligible for support.
This is significant support that can give families greater financial breathing space, allowing them to spend less time worrying about how everything will add up. It means they can focus on supporting their child’s learning, encouraging their ambitions and helping them make the most of school life.
And while we’re helping families with the pressures they face at home, we’re equally determined to ensure every child gets the brilliant education they deserve.
As families settle back into the routine of a new school year, we’ll be focused on raising standards, widening opportunity and delivering an education system that gives every young person a clear route to success.
Because September should be about children looking ahead to the future with confidence, not parents worrying about how they’re going to pay for it.
