Stories

Tue, 25 Aug 2026

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 Back to school: How to save on uniform costs

From baby banks to supermarket deals, there are many ways parents can ease the back-to-school burden.

* New rules limiting branded items per child come into force in September to help ease financial burden.
* Save the Children says this is a "good start" but back-to-school costs remain a concern for families across all income brackets.
* Schools are advised to make second-hand uniforms accessible and some have already implemented uniform hubs, swap shops, and sales.
* Baby banks can provide support with school uniform costs, offering items up to and through secondary school.
* Research suggests that parents can cheaply stock up on frequent-wear items using supermarket bundle deals or teaming up with friends to bulk buy.
* A third of parents buy uniforms from supermarkets, a third shop around for the best value, and 23% purchase larger sizes to make items last longer.
* Local authorities offer grants worth up to £200 per child for families in need.
* Struggling with uniform costs is common and people shouldn't feel ashamed if they need to ask for help.