Families across the South West are facing a final financial squeeze as the summer holidays draw to a close, with many parents saying the cost of keeping children entertained has been difficult to manage.
Research for The Children’s Society found that nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) of parents in the South West believe the cost of the school holidays has increased compared with a year ago.
Almost two-thirds (64 per cent) described the holidays as financially stressful, while 59 per cent said the cost of activities had been difficult to manage.
That figure was higher than the proportion struggling with the cost of food and drink, which stood at 42 per cent among South West families.
The warning comes as families also prepare for the expense of getting children ready to return to school.
From September, schools in England will be limited to requiring three compulsory branded uniform items, or four at secondary and middle schools where one of those items is a tie.
The Children’s Society has campaigned for the change for several years and has welcomed the new limit as a step towards reducing the cost of school uniforms.
Its report, Walking into Nothing: The hidden cost of the school holidays for families, found that parents nationally spent an estimated £50 on food and drink and a further £91 on other costs for their eldest school-age child during a single week of the February half-term – around £141 in total.
The research also found that 64 per cent of parents nationally said the cost of the school holidays was higher than the previous year.
For families struggling to meet those costs, some have been forced to turn to borrowing or go without.
Among parents who struggled with holiday expenses, 30 per cent used a credit card, while 24 per cent borrowed money from friends or family and 17 per cent used buy now, pay later schemes.
Others went without basic necessities. Of those who took action to manage holiday costs, 27 per cent said they had skipped a meal themselves, while 10 per cent had used a food bank.
Mark Russell, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said the changes to school uniform rules were welcome but warned that families continued to face pressure beyond the cost of getting children back into the classroom.
“The new limit on compulsory branded items is a genuine and welcome step towards fairer school-uniform costs – a change we campaigned for over many years, and it’s good to see it finally arriving,” he said.
“But the pressures on families in the South West don’t stop there. Our research shows how expensive the school holidays are, with many parents borrowing money, skipping meals or relying on food banks to cope.”
The charity has also welcomed the expansion of Free School Meals but warned that the Holiday Activities and Food programme has stricter income requirements, meaning around 1.3 million children could miss out.
The Children’s Society is calling for more practical support for families, including affordable activities and help being made available when household finances are under the greatest pressure.
With the new school term now just around the corner, the charity’s findings highlight that for some families the end of the holidays will bring relief from childcare and entertainment costs, but another round of household expenses is already waiting.
