More Lancashire families are struggling to afford to school uniform
Charity Burnley Together Services have stepped in to support parents and carers
As the school gates open once more today for many pupils, we're hearing Lancashire families are struggling to afford uniform for their children.
Burnley Together Services currently run a pay-what-you-can uniform bank inviting families to take a pack of school clothes, which sets their child up with everything they will need.
The charity say they've had to step in to help 100 more parents this year than in 2022.
Approximately 825 uniforms have been handed out since May.
Phil Jones - from the service - tells us what this uniform bank means to families:
"It costs about one hundred pounds to put a uniform together for a child so if you've got 2 or 3 kids that's a lot of money to find.
"We were getting feedback that families are struggling to save more than ever so that 200-300 pounds was hitting all at once and having to come out of one pay packet - which is a massive challenge for families."
"We get families coming in who without our services, would really struggle to put the kids into uniform.
"What this means practically in truth is that those kids are in school not out of school because some kids that aren't able to afford the uniform just wouldn't go.
"This is a real issue and something we don't want to see.
The Burnley Together Services shop is is located within the Down Town facility is Burnley Town Centre, above New Look.
It is open Monday – Friday from 9 - 4pm, and this Saturday from 11 – 2pm.