Thousands of families across the UK could be in line for a financial boost worth up to £1,000 a year from September following a major change in the law.
The changes are designed to help parents cope with rising household costs as children return to school for the new academic year.
The Department for Education has announced a package of reforms that it says will put more money back into families’ pockets and reduce the cost of sending children to school.
The savings come from three separate measures, including an expansion of free breakfast clubs, new legal limits on branded school uniforms and a wider rollout of free school meals.
Together, the changes could save eligible families up to £1,000 a year for each child.
From September, more than 2,700 breakfast clubs will be operating across England after the scheme is extended to a further 1,400 schools.
Families using the service every school day could save around £450 a year, while also benefiting from around 95 hours of free childcare, equivalent to roughly two working weeks.
Together, the changes could save eligible families almost £1,000 a year for each child
|
GETTY
New legal rules coming into force in September will also limit the number of compulsory branded uniform items schools can require.
This will allow parents to buy everyday items such as trousers, shirts and skirts from supermarkets and other retailers instead of more expensive specialist suppliers.
At the same time, free school meals will be extended to all families receiving Universal Credit.
The Education Secretary explained no parent should have to choose between a summer day out to the beach and kitting their child out for school
|
GETTY
The Government estimates this could save eligible households up to £500 a year on food costs.
Polling has revealed that a third of parents continue to worry about uniform expenses.
In response, the government is publishing strengthened statutory guidance directing schools to reduce costs on individual items, particularly higher-priced garments like blazers and jumpers, ahead of the 2027 academic year.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “No parent should have to choose between a summer day out to the beach and kitting their child out for school.
“From September, families will feel the difference at the school gates: free breakfast clubs at 1,400 more schools, an end to expensive lists of branded uniform, and more free lunches for those who need them.”