Thousands helped with back to school costs

More than £310,000 has been given to help families with back to school costs, the government has said.

Its Back to School Bonus was offered as a one-off payment of up to £150 towards uniforms, stationery and other essentials for children from reception to Year 11 for families which earn less than £75,000.

The Social Security department said it had approved 2,552 payments for 1,450 primary school pupils and 1,102 secondary school pupils for the start of the upcoming term.

The bonuses come at the same time as a new school uniform policy , which limits States schools to five branded uniform items per child, to help parents save money.

The department said about 70 more applications were still being assessed, with the final payment cycle due before the end of August.

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