School costs too high for poor families

Commenting on today’s publication of the report from the Department for Children, Schools and Families on ‘the cost of Schooling 2007’, the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, said:

“This thorough research shows school costs take far too big a bite out of the incomes of families who cannot afford it. This excludes the poorest children from many activities and leaves families struggling to pay for school uniforms, school trips, and school meals.’

“The cost is already 5 percent of income for average families, but for the poorest families it can be a massive 20 percent of income. This is education poverty.

“Just one in five parents is aware of financial assistance on offer within a school, and poorer families are less likely to know about additional support.

“Reducing school costs is essential if the Government is to end educational inequality. Being able to afford to support their children’s education and enable them to participate in extra curricular learning activities should be every parent’s right.”

Notes for editors

• The 2 Skint 4 School campaign has been launched by child poverty action group to end the classroom divide between the opportunities to learn that the poorest and the wealthiest children have. For more information visit: www.cpag.org.uk/2skint4school
• CPAG is the leading charity campaigning for the abolition of child poverty in the UK and for a better deal for low-income families and children.
• CPAG is one of over 150 member organisations of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, campaigning for public and political commitment to ensure the goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending child poverty by 2020 are met.

For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
tnichols@cpag.org.uk