Back-to-school costs forcing more families into debt

RISING back-to-school costs are forcing an increasing number of families into debt, according to children’s charity Barnardos.

Figures released by the charity yesterday, showed that government schemes designed to assist in covering back-to-school costs are not reflective of the true price of sending a child to school.

They show the number of children benefiting from the Government Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme (BSCFA) has increased from 161,000 in 2006 to over 180,000 last year. Spending has more than doubled from €16.7 million in 2004 to a predicted €46 million this year.