- Some schools charge up to £200 per child for branded uniform items
One in three parents are planning to shop second hand for school uniforms this year amid spiralling costs, research shows.
Some 34 per cent of parents are set to turn to school swap shops, parent WhatsApp groups and online websites such as Vinted to buy back-to-school essentials, savings club Park Christmas Savings reveals.
More than half of parents say they are struggling to meet the cost of school uniforms, which runs into more than a £100 bill for some families.
One in three parents will spend £75 to £100 per child, while a quarter expect to pay between £100 to £200 as the price for school-branded items continues to soar.
This means that for a family with two children, costs could reach £400 for uniforms alone.
Pairs of school shoes are the most expensive school uniform item, parents say, followed by branded school jumpers and blazers.
Soaring costs: One in three parents say they will spend £75 to £100 per child on uniform
Families can shop for some items such as shoes, trousers and skirts at supermarkets which usually offer the cheapest prices.
However, many schools require some items such as a blazer, shirt or even a backpack to be branded with a school emblem which drives up the cost.
It comes as education secretary Bridget Phillipson MP urged schools to reduce the number of branded items of uniform pupils are required to wear.
From September next year, a limit of three branded items, plus a branded tie, will become law – but Phillipson is urging schools to act sooner on a voluntary basis to help struggling families.
Katherine Scott, of Park Christmas Savings says: ‘This reflect the very challenging financial pressures parents are under.
‘The cost of living has hit UK families hard and the need to save and budget throughout the year for major outgoings is more crucial than ever.
‘We welcome the Government’s call for limits on branded uniform items to help families on a budget. Too often branded items are over-priced and poor quality.’
Some four in five parents say they feel stressed and anxious about finances as the new school year looms.
But its not just the cost of uniforms that is piling on the pressure as ‘hidden’ back to school costs mount up.
For example, more than half of parents say they now need to budget for an iPad or laptop for their child to use for school and homework.
Some 44 per cent of parents are budgeting between £200 to £400 spend for this back-to-school technology.
Plus, some 15 per cent of families are worried they will be unable to cover the cost of school lunches consistently all term.
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