Rising school uniform costs push more families to charity support, Luton mother says
Level Trust reports 15–20% rise in demand as parents face higher prices for branded kit, meals and trips; campaign group cites up to £2,300 a year for secondary pupils
Parents are struggling to meet rising school-related costs, with a Luton mother describing the expense of uniforms, shoes, meals and trips as "daunting" and local charities reporting a substantial increase in demand for help.
Lauren Barford-Dowling, 27, a mother of three with a fourth child on the way, said she has found it "scary" trying to keep up with the cost of sending her children to school. She cited increased prices for branded jumpers and tops, the need for multiple pairs of trainers and rising school meal costs as driving household budgets to breaking point.
Barford-Dowling, who lives in Luton, said three pairs of trainers cost her more than £100 and that shoes and trainers are often worn out in a few months. Her eldest child's lunches cost £44 a month, and she said that when all three of her children move up to Key Stage 2 she faces paying nearly £100 a month for meals alone.
The Luton-based charity Level Trust, which provides free school supplies and runs a school uniform shop, said demand for its services has risen by between 15% and 20% compared with last year, equivalent to about 200 more families seeking assistance in July and August. Kerri Porthouse, deputy chief executive of the charity, said some parents only realise how much uniform is required when their children move into reception or secondary school and arrive "in a panic".
The increase in demand has stretched the charity's resources. Level Trust has provided Barford-Dowling's children with free school shoes and trainers for PE, a relief the mother said was vital as branded items and required kit become more expensive.
National research points to wider financial pressures. The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) found that it costs an average of about £1,000 a year to send a child to primary school and roughly £2,300 for a secondary pupil, factoring in uniform, equipment, trips and other school-related expenses. Kate Anstey, head of education policy at CPAG, said children from low-income families are being forced to drop subjects because of the price of trips and required equipment.
A Department for Education spokesperson said the government does not want children to face barriers to education because of their family's finances. Officials noted steps already taken to limit costs, including plans to cap the number of branded uniform items that schools can require. The spokesperson also reiterated a policy set to take effect in 2026 that will make all children in households receiving Universal Credit automatically eligible for free school meals.
Charities and campaigners say those steps are a start but warn that immediate pressures remain for families ahead of the policy changes. Local organisations have advised parents to contact schools and charities early for support, while some schools are reviewing uniform policies and second-hand kit options to ease the burden on households.
The combination of higher retail prices for branded items, unavoidable replacement of worn footwear for active children and rising ancillary costs such as meals and trips is adding to financial strain for many parents. Charities working in the sector say the trend has been building over recent years and that the post-pandemic cost-of-living environment has intensified need during the summer back-to-school period.
Level Trust and other local organisations are appealing for donations and volunteers to help meet the increased demand ahead of the autumn term. The charity said it will continue to provide free and low-cost uniform items where possible, while urging policymakers and schools to consider further measures to reduce the financial burden on families.
The rising cost of equipment and school-related expenses, and the uneven speed of policy relief, leave many parents navigating short-term gaps in support as new measures are phased in.