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Parents could save up to £1,000 on school costs this September with breakfast clubs and uniform pricing limits

Parents could save up to £1,000 on school costs this September with breakfast clubs and uniform pricing limits

More schools will offer free breakfast clubs, while new rules will cap branded school uniform costs from September.

Happy school girls outdoor. Back view

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MadeForMums

Published: July 7, 2026 at 1:23 PM

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From September, many families could see the cost of the new school year fall thanks to a combination of expanded free breakfast clubs, new limits on branded school uniforms, and wider support with school meals.

The Department for Education has confirmed that 1,400 more schools will begin offering free breakfast clubs from September, while new legal rules will limit how many branded uniform items schools can require. Together, the government says these measures could save some families close to £1,000 a year, depending on the support they are eligible for.

The changes come as many parents prepare for the expensive back-to-school shopping season, with school uniforms and childcare among the biggest costs for families.

More schools to offer free breakfast clubs

From September, more than 2,700 schools across England will have free breakfast clubs in place, with over 680,000 children expected to attend after the summer holidays.

According to the Department for Education, families who use a breakfast club every school day could save up to £450 a year, while also benefiting from around 95 hours of free childcare annually.

The government says the clubs have already delivered nearly £25 million in cumulative savings for families by serving more than 10 million free breakfasts and providing around 5 million hours of childcare.

New branded uniform limits come into force

Schools will also be legally required to follow new limits on the number of branded uniform items they can insist pupils wear.

The aim is to make it easier for parents to buy everyday essentials, such as shirts and trousers, from supermarkets and high street retailers instead of specialist uniform suppliers.

Alongside the legal changes, the government has published updated statutory guidance encouraging schools to do more to reduce the cost of pricier items, including blazers and jumpers, ahead of the 2027 school year.

The announcement follows polling which found that around one in three parents remain concerned about the cost of school uniforms.

How much could families save?

The government says eligible families could benefit from:

Up to £450 a year through a free breakfast club.
Up to £500 a year through the expansion of free school meals to all households receiving Universal Credit.
Lower school uniform costs as branded item requirements are reduced.

Actual savings will depend on a family's eligibility and whether their child's school is taking part in the breakfast club programme.

Education Secretary comments on the changes

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the measures are designed to help ease the financial pressure many families face before the start of a new school year.

No parent should have to choose between a summer day out to the beach and kitting their child out for school.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson

She added: "From September, families will feel the difference at the school gates: free breakfast clubs at 1,400 more schools, an end to expensive lists of branded uniform, and more free lunches for those who need them."

What else is changing for families?

The Department for Education also highlighted several wider family support measures.

These include the continued rollout of funded childcare, which the government says saves families using their full 30-hour entitlement an average of £8,000 per child each year.

The government has also announced plans to reform early years funding through a new consultation, with proposals aimed at directing more funding for disadvantaged two-year-olds to nurseries and childminders.

Meanwhile, Best Start Family Hubs continue to expand across England. More than 200 hubs are now open, with plans for up to 1,000 by 2028, offering services including parenting support, health visitors and stay-and-play sessions.

Alongside these education measures, the government's Great British Summer Saving scheme is also running until 1 September, including reduced VAT on children's meals at participating restaurants, family entertainment tickets and free bus travel for children aged five to 15 in England throughout August.

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