Parents in North West worry over rising back-to-school costs, research shows

One in four parents in the North West are sacrificing essentials for themselves to cover back-to-school costs, as half worry about the price of school uniform, new research reveals.

Half of parents in the North West (49 per cent) are worried about the price of school uniform and a quarter (27 per cent) are sacrificing things for themselves to cope with the costs of the new term, data from Save the Children and the Baby Bank Alliance has shown.

This September the UK Government has introduced new rules on uniform designed to limit the number of branded items.

However back-to-school costs are proving to be a concern for families across the region, particularly for those with older children.

Government figures published before ministers announced the new uniform rules calculated that on average it has cost £440 over the course of a year to buy uniform for a secondary school pupil, and £340 for primary school pupils.

New Opinium research for Save the Children found that over a quarter (29%) of parents in the region are worried about the cost of school shoes, while nearly one in five (20%) are concerned about the price of PE kit.

The back-to-school squeeze is also forcing families to make tough financial choices, with a quarter of North West parents (27 per cent) going without things for themselves to cover the costs.

Almost one in three (31 per cent) say they are cutting household spending, while 28 per cent expect to dip into their savings to make ends meet.

he same number 28 per cent plan to work extra hours, and one in five (23 per cent) will have to spread the cost of getting their children ready for school over several months.

The data comes as volunteers at baby banks that provide school uniform for older children across the country report a rise in the need for shirts and coats, as well as shoes and school bags.

In 2025 baby banks gave away 84,000 pairs of shoes (not all for school use) and 340,000 books.

Dan Paskins, Executive Director of UK Impact at Save the Children UK, said: “After the long summer break, parents are hit with fresh costs in August to get their children ready for the start of school. Uniform, shoes and rucksacks can be extremely expensive, especially for larger families, and it can be hard to buy everything that’s needed especially when many parents are fresh from trying to fund days out and activities.

“The UK Government has made a good start by limiting branded items to reduce costs but the cost-of-living crisis is still making life hard for families.

“Save the Children is trying to help families with cash grants and support for advice for parents.

“Baby banks are also stepping in with vital support for older children and we would encourage people to get in touch with their local baby bank if they need help.”

Hannah Pentith, Executive Lead of the Baby Bank Alliance, said: “"Baby banks provide a vital emergency support in communities, helping families on low incomes with essentials.

“There is a vast network across the country and they don’t just provide clothes for babies but can help with uniform staples, books and shoes for children too. Late summer is a particularly difficult time for families, and while not all baby banks provide back-to-school items, they are all ready to help."

Save the Children is a founding partner of the Baby Bank Alliance. which has 250 baby banks in the UK, many providing clean, ready to wear uniforms to children in need, allowing them to fit in with their peers.

Their stock is made up of quality non-branded preloved items donated by the community – from shirts and trousers to skirts, ties, jumpers and PE kits.

Surveyed at the start of the summer break, parents across the North West, had a range of emotions about their children going back to school.

From this September new UK Government rules mean that schools must limit the number of compulsory branded items of uniform and PE kit to three or fewer to try and help families with costs.

Secondary and middle schools must limit the number of compulsory branded items of uniform and PE kit to four or fewer, if one is a tie.