LABOUR'S parliamentary candidate says she is becoming increasingly shocked with the rising costs for parents getting their children back to school.

Councillor Rebecca Blake decided to investigate after more and more town families told her how hard it was to meet the spiralling costs.

The national annual back-to-school bill was reckoned to be £156 for children at primary schools and a whopping £285 for a child at secondary school. In Redditch the cost of shoes, blazers and PE kits draw the most concern from parents, with official tracksuit bottoms for Redditch high schools coming up at approximately £19, compared to £10 off the peg.

Ms Blake said: "Too many families across Redditch are struggling to make ends meet. Wages fall well below the Worcestershire average leaving Redditch parents already feeling the pressure of this government’s policies more than most.

"That’s why I’m asking local schools to undertake an immediate review of their uniform and equipment policies. They should involve the parents who have to foot these bills, often for more than one child at a time and ask them what changes they would like to see. Parents are telling me that easing the pressure of having to buy such a high proportion of official uniform would help."

Angela Cooper, a mum-of-two from Church Hill agreed, and said: "It is very expensive and sometimes compulsory items do not get used. My eldest hasn't had any need to use the PE jumper which cost around £16.

"I do think schools could be more flexible on some of the items, for example blazers are not warm enough in the winter. A simple black cardigan under the blazer is not seen, yet it should be from the uniform shop which makes it more expensive."

Anyone who would like to share their views on the cost of school uniforms can visit rebecca4redditch.org.uk/campaigns_page where they can complete an online survey and leave comments.