As Scottish pupils return to classrooms, a significant portion of parents report expecting to make personal sacrifices to afford back-to-school costs. New research commissioned by Save the Children Scotland indicates that 32 percent of parents anticipate going without items for themselves to manage expenses related to the new school year.
This financial pressure comes as households transition from the costs associated with summer holidays to the demands of school supplies, uniforms, and other essentials. The findings are part of the charity's "No Summer Break from Poverty" campaign, which aims to highlight ongoing financial challenges faced by many families.
While 37 percent of parents look forward to the return of routine that school provides, the cost of preparing children for the term remains a concern. Claire Telfer of Save the Children stated that the end of the summer holidays does not bring financial relief for many families but rather marks the beginning of new expenses. She emphasized that parents should not have to compromise their own basic needs to ensure their children are prepared for school and urged the Scottish Government to expedite progress on its child poverty targets.
The survey was conducted by Opinium between June 22 and July 3, with 2,000 UK parents of children under 16 participating. The Scottish sample included 303 respondents.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government outlined existing support measures. The government provides £14.6 million towards the School Clothing Grant, offering at least £120 for primary school pupils and £150 for secondary school pupils who are eligible. Additionally, free school meals are available to all primary pupils in Primaries 1-5, children in special schools, and eligible pupils in P6 through S6, potentially saving families approximately £450 per child annually. Future initiatives include a 'Welcome to School' bag designed to equip every child with necessary school essentials.