This month, I went back to Parliament. And many children and young people went back to school and college. But for parents the start of term can be one of the most expensive times of the year.
The cost of branded school uniforms can quickly add up. Research shows that almost half of parents are worried about uniform costs, and some go without heating or food to afford branded items. Combined with the cost of lunches, trips, and classroom stationary, parents often make difficult choices to make ends meet during term time. That is why the Government is helping ease the back-to-school squeeze with savings that give parents the breathing space they need.
This month, a number of the Government’s policies for schools kick into action. They’re designed to boost children’s ability to do well at school, to tackle child poverty and to save parents money, making daily life more affordable.
Schools are now only allowed to require three branded uniform items – plus a tie in secondaries. Our cap will save families £50 per child, per year. Children should be able to go to school looking smart without it costing parents the earth.
Also this month, the next wave of free breakfast clubs are opening so even more children can get the best start. Our free breakfast clubs have already served over ten million free breakfasts to hundreds of thousands of children. In Reading, we have four free Best Start breakfast clubs. Soon all state‑funded primary schools in Reading will offer free breakfast clubs. We know that free breakfast clubs are delivering calmer classrooms, higher standards and happier children. These clubs also boost parents’ work choices and children’s life chances. At the same time, they give parents 30 minutes of time back on busy mornings while saving them £450 a year. And by making them free and universal, every child will be able to benefit.
From the start of the new school year, half a million more children will get access to free school meals. It will lift 100,000 children out of poverty and save their parents £500 per year. This Government is supporting children so that they can give their all at school, with full bellies and hungry minds.
Since 2018, children have only been eligible for free school meals if their household income is less than £7,400 per year, meaning hundreds of thousands of children living in poverty have been unable to access free school meals.
From September, any child with a parent that claims any amount of Universal Credit will be eligible to receive free school meals. This will apply to children in all settings where free school meals are currently delivered, including schools, school-based nurseries and Further Education Settings. Parents can apply before the start of the school year 2026 by providing their National Insurance Number to check their eligibility.
This move will save parents up to £500 every year, lift 100,000 children out of poverty, drive higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes.
Education is at the heart of this Government’s agenda. We will not stand by as parents struggle to make ends meet, as children are held back by poverty, as talent goes wasted. We will build an education system that shatters the class ceiling so that background is no barrier and if you work hard, you can get on in life.
These policies aren’t just pro-learning measures, they are anti-poverty measures too. They form part of Labour’s Child Poverty Strategy, which will see the Government lift half a million children out of poverty, a record number of any government.
This Government is committed to making things easier for parents, making life chances better for children, and making our country stronger and fairer.
Matt Rodda is Labour MP for Reading Central
