Sat, 13 Sep 2025

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 Rising cost of school uniform is scary, says mum

A school supplies charity says demand for its help has risen by up to 20% compared with last year.
A mother-of-four from Luton, Lauren Barford-Dowling, says it's "scary" trying to keep up with the costs of sending her children to school. The expenses include uniforms, shoes, meals, and trips, which she describes as "daunting". Barford-Dowling has three children aged 10, six, and five, and a fourth on the way. She says that branded clothing items have increased in price, making it difficult for her to afford basic necessities like shoes, trainers, trousers, dresses, and tops. The cost of school meals is also adding pressure, with Barford-Dowling's eldest child's lunches costing £44 per month. When all three children move up to Key Stage 2, she will have to pay nearly £100 a month for their lunch. Barford-Dowling credits the Level Trust charity with providing her children with free school shoes and trainers for PE. The charity has seen an increase of between 15% and 20% in demand for its services compared to last year, serving 200 more families alone in July and August. Research by the Child Poverty Action Group found that it costs £1,000 per year to send a child to primary school and £2,300 to secondary school. The group's head of education policy notes that children from low-income families are dropping subjects due to the cost of trips and equipment, and that too many children are growing up in poverty. A Department for Education spokesperson says that no child should face barriers to their education because of their family's finances.
  >>