Stories

Tue, 18 Aug 2026

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 Demand for school uniform bank 'has never been higher'

One mother said uniform costs had "really eaten" into her budget.

* A charity in Wirral, Wirral Free Uniforms for Schools (WFUS), has seen a surge in demand for second-hand school uniforms despite government guidelines aimed at reducing costs.
* The charity's project co-ordinator, Petra Davies, said that uniform prices continue to rise and many parents struggle to afford them, even in affluent areas where "posh" schools charge high fees for certain items.
* Research by the Children's Society found that 68% of parents in north-west England reported that this year's school holidays were costing more than last year's.
* Davies noted that while some schools have reduced the number of branded items required, many find ways to get around this rule, making it difficult for parents to buy affordable generic clothing.
* One mother praised the charity, saying it allowed her to spend money on summer holiday activities with her children instead of uniform costs.
* Another parent, who had moved to England from Ukraine, said the charity was a "big help" in adjusting to life in the UK.