School costs 'stretching families'

Families on the poverty line are expected to spend up to two fifths of their August income on back-to-school costs as schools make punishing demands on parents, according to a charity.

The average annual cost, including uniforms, coats, bags and stationery, is now £156 for a child at primary school and £285 for a child at secondary school, the report by Family Action found.
%VIRTUAL-SkimlinksPromo%