blog
18 Jun 2026

Back to school costs are rising – here's what support is available

New research has shown that the UK back-to-school market is valued at £8.82 billion, with the minimum cost of education exceeding over £1,000 a year for a child at primary school and nearly £2,300 a year for a child at secondary school, with girls’ uniforms often costing more.  

The growing pressure to spend more and more each year is putting great strain on parents and families, with some falling into debt, and 29% of parents having to go without eating or heating in order to outfit their children. It’s not simply a case of forgoing branded uniforms – some children have been met with isolation or exclusion as a result. 

While changes to school uniform guidance may help reduce costs in the future, many families need support now. Fortunately, there are a range of grants and initiatives available to help. 

What support is available for uniform costs?  

caba's back-to-school payment 

If you're a chartered accountant, or the spouse of one, caba may be able to help with the cost of sending your child back to school. caba's back-to-school payment provides eligible families with up to £250 per child to help cover the cost of: 

  • School uniforms and PE kits 

  • Essential school supplies 

  • Educational technology 

  • Other back-to-school expenses 

The payment is means-tested and assessed against the Minimum Income Standard. 

Last year, caba distributed more than £44,000 in back-to-school payment, but many eligible families are unaware that support is available. 

You may be eligible if you're a current or former ICAEW member, student, or dependant and your household income falls below the Minimum Income Standard. If you're unsure whether you qualify, it's worth getting in touch. caba can talk you through your situation and explain what support may be available. 

Local council support 

Many local authorities offer support to help families manage the cost of school uniforms and other essential school items. 

Support varies significantly between councils. To find out what support may be available in your area, contact your local council. MoneySavingExpert has also compiled information on local authority support schemes across the UK. 

School uniform grants 

Sebby's Corner supports families experiencing financial hardship or crisis by helping to reduce the burden of back-to-school costs. Applications for uniform support are typically open for a limited period each year, usually from late April until the end of May. 

Pre-loved uniforms 

Uniformd enables families to access lightly used and new uniform items at a fraction of the cost, and sometimes for free. While its marketplace does not currently cover every school across the UK, schools can request to be added to the platform. 

Benefits support 

A 2023 study found that more than £19 billion in benefits goes unclaimed each year, and you could be missing out on support you're entitled to receive. 

caba provides benefits advice to help identify benefits you may be eligible for, which could help with the cost of school uniforms and other household expenses. Talk to their team today to find out more. 

What’s driving the increase?  

There are multiple reasons for the increase in school uniform costs.  

The cost of living is continuing to rise, which, as well as consumers, affects manufacturers, who are faced with increase fabric and shipping costs, as well as wages – ultimately, this is passed on to families. 

At the same time, education is becoming increasingly dependent on technology, meaning that many households face additional costs beyond uniforms and stationery in order to keep up. In fact, items such as laptops are now being deemed as essential for education. 

What’s being done about uniform costs? 

From September 2026, guidelines are changing to prevent parents from entering financial difficulty when simply sending children to school. According to Gov UK, these guidelines for schools are: 

  • Schools should limit the number of compulsory branded items of uniform and PE kit to 3 or fewer. 

  • Secondary and middle schools should limit the number of compulsory branded items of uniform and PE kit to 4 or fewer, if one is a tie. 

While these are not currently mandatory, the government is pursuing legislation in order to make that happen. 

But the reality is that, while these guidelines might be beneficial to some families, many more will still struggle. Back-to-school costs continue to rise, but support is available. 

If you’re an current or former ICAEW member, ACA student, or the spouse of one, caba’s support is designed for you. Get in touch with caba today to apply for caba’s back to school payment or to find other support available to you. 

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