Families 'cannot afford school clothes'

Parents have complained about "voluntary" charges in school

A fifth of parents have faced school clothing bills that they could not afford, say campaigners against child poverty.

The Costs of Education survey, carried out by the Child Poverty Action Group, claims that many poorer families are struggling with the cost of sending children to school.

"The costs of education are a real day to day pressure for many parents from low income households. This study brings home that far too many children have to go without, simply because their parents cannot afford it," says the charity's director Martin Barnes.

As many pupils return to school this week, parents are under pressure to buy their children new uniforms or extra clothes, such as trainers or sports kit.

And the survey, which spoke to parents of five to 12-year-olds, claims that one in five have failed to buy an item of school clothing for their children because they did not have enough money.

The child poverty charity highlights the range of extra school expenses faced by families, including trips, swimming and music lessons.

And it says that parents have been concerned about "voluntary" donations and charges that are expected from them.

'Exclusion'

"We know that the government has made significant increases in financial support to children over the last few years," said Mr Barnes.

"But when a quarter of parents, whose children are not eligible for free school meals, still find it difficult to cover the costs of school meals it shows that more needs to be done."

The survey, carried out by the charity's Oxford branch, found that single parents found it particularly difficult to afford the extra costs associated with school.

The charity is calling on the government to provide extra funds to prevent the "social exclusion" of youngsters from low-income families.

It suggests that schools should have a policy for helping with clothing costs and that local authorities should encourage more affordable school trips.

It also calls for healthier food to be available to pupils at a "reasonable price".