Parents could make back-to-school shopping much less expensive by finding out if they are eligible for support to cover some of the cost through free Government grants. In some parts of the UK, families could be missing out on up to £200 in free support.
According to a report by Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert team, several families across the UK could be entitled to help with kitting out their children with everything they need ahead of the new school year. If you’re on certain benefits, such as Universal Credit, you could get up to £200 in financial grant support.
Amounts vary by area
The exact amount that people could claim varies depending on where they live in the UK. For example, some areas in England award £25 per child while others go as high as £150 per pupil.
Most areas in England don't have a set deadline, and some will take applications throughout the school year. The MSE report says: "Under the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which launched in April 2026, councils in England can access funding to help those most in need with the cost of daily essentials, including school clothing in some cases."
"Each council can choose how to distribute the money, so eligibility criteria and what you can get vary – for example, some have given extra funding to schools to hand out, while others provide direct help to vulnerable households in the form of supermarket vouchers. It's worth contacting your council to find out what it offers."
Areas with no deadline
- Barnsley: Maximum £100 per child | No need to apply – vouchers issued automatically to those eligible
- Bolton: Maximum £30 per child | No need to apply – vouchers issued automatically to those eligible
- Brent: Maximum £100 per child | No need to apply – vouchers issued automatically to those eligible
- Cumberland: Maximum £100 per child | Apply online via the council website
- Greenwich: Maximum £150 per child | Apply online via the council website
- Hackney: Maximum £100 per child | Apply online via the council website
- Hammersmith and Fulham: Maximum £79 per child | Apply online via the council website
- Islington: Maximum £150 per child | Apply online via the council website
- North Lincolnshire: Maximum £30 per child | Apply online via the council website
- Rotherham: Maximum £70 per child | No need to apply – vouchers issued automatically to those eligible
- Sandwell: Maximum £25 per child | Apply online via the council website
- Shropshire: Maximum £50 per child | Apply online via the council website (no formal deadline, but grants are first-come, first-served)
- Westmorland and Furness: Maximum £75 per child | Apply online via the council's website (though you should receive funding automatically if eligible, as the council has your details from receiving free school meals)
- Westminster: Maximum £150 per child | Contact your school directly
- Wolverhampton: £75 savings boost | Apply online
- York: Maximum £100 per child | No need to apply – vouchers issued automatically to those eligible
Areas with deadlines
- Haringey: Maximum £60 per child | Apply online via the council website by March 31, 2027
- South Tyneside: Maximum £70 per child | Contact your school directly by September 30, 2026
- Tower Hamlets: Maximum £150 per child | Apply online via the council website by September 30, 2026
MSE added to its findings that 10 councils in England (Bath and North East Somerset, Bexley, Lancashire, Middlesbrough, Norfolk, Peterborough, Redbridge, Sheffield, South Gloucestershire and Southend-on-Sea) offer grants, but only in exceptional circumstances, for example, where you've suffered a fire, flood or have been made homeless. Another two councils – Bracknell Forest and Hampshire – may offer education-related grants for refugees.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
School uniform grants are offered by all local authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria. People can direct their application to a specific local authority (or the Education Authority in Northern Ireland).
Families in Northern Ireland could get up to £93.60 per child, although the deadline for securing funds before the start of the September term was July 31, 2026 - although late applications are currently being accepted.
Scottish parents and carers could get "at least £120" from their local authority by applying online - although deadlines do vary depending on where in the country you're seeking support.
In Wales, children could benefit from up to £200 per child to cover the cost of school uniforms. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2027.
