The free support is provided as a cash grant by all councils in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but sadly isn’t compulsory in England, which means not all councils offer the support
Parents who are struggling on a low income could be entitled to help worth up to £200 toward the cost of school uniform.
The free support is provided as a cash grant by all councils in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and some in England. The help isn’t a statutory requirement in England, which means councils don’t have to offer the support and parents face a postcode lottery for the help.
The eligibility criteria also varies – but generally speaking, those who claim free school meals, are on low incomes or claim benefits are most likely to qualify. Some councils also take the school age of your child into account.
The average cost of compulsory secondary school uniform and sportswear items for a child starting secondary school in England in 2023 is £96.24 per pupil, according to The Schoolwear Association.