Struggling to survive

Parents are cutting back on food and delaying paying their bills in an effort to cover the costs of sending their children to school, a survey has revealed.

The Barnardos School Cost survey highlighted serious concerns among almost 1,000 parents questioned, some of whom said they were struggling to cover costs and were “embarrassed” at having to plead with school principals to help them out with items such as schoolbooks.

Reduced household income and cuts to the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance has meant many parents are finding it more difficult to meet basic costs, even if in some cases those costs have fallen.