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Four out of five parents under pressure due to back to school costs

Around £918 is spent by primary school parents and £1,086 by secondary school parents

The new figures have been released from the Irish League of Credit Unions (ICLU) (Alamy Stock Photo)
By Conor Coyle

Almost 80% of parents in Northern Ireland are under pressure to cope with back to school costs ahead of the new term, a new survey has found.

New figures from the Irish League of Credit Unions (ICLU) show that the total back to school spend this year is £918 for primary school parents, an increase of £81 from last year.

While costs of secondary school parents have risen by £97 to £1,086 since 2023.

The Schoolwear Association said further restrictions could also create ‘inequality in school’
Primary school parents spend on average £132 on uniforms a year while secondary school parents are spending £210

A significant majority of parents (79%) said they still consider back to school costs a financial burden, up slightly from 78% in 2023.

Research from the ICLU also shows a majority of parents say their children’s school ask for a ‘voluntary contribution’, on average of around £100.

Primary school parents spend on average £132 on uniforms a year while secondary school parents are spending £210.

Martin Fisher from the ILCU said: “The 2024 Back to School survey results show that parents and households across Northern Ireland still face considerable pressures when it comes to schooling costs.

“Our research shows that in 2024, families are still prepared to sacrifice both family experiences such as holidays and also essentials such as food in extreme cases, to cover schooling.

“The research also illustrates the impact of debt with 39% of parents stating that they get into debt covering back to school costs, and the average amount is £265.

“While this is a very modest improvement on our 2023 research, to combat these costs in 2024, 35% are actively trying to earn additional income.

“This is particularly challenging when we consider that 87% of respondents have been impacted by the rising costs of living since the start of 2024, and as such many have little choice but to take on debt.”

Mr Fisher added that there had also been an increase of parents borrowing from money lenders in 2024, up to 3% from 1% in 2024.

“Although a relatively small proportion, the trend is important as it shows that parents who may already be in difficulty are turning to unregulated entities for immediate access to funds, which potentially has longer term ramifications,” he said.