The cost of sending children back to school is causing debt management worries for over half of UK parents.

Over half of UK parents can’t afford the costs incurred with sending their children back to school, and many face mounting debt problems to cover these costs, according to latest findings.

The study by YouGov for charities “Save the Children” and “Family Action” found that 51 per cent of UK parents (on an income below £30,000) cannot afford everything their child needs as they prepare for the first new school year since the start of the economic downturn.

The study also found that over a quarter of parents (26%) on incomes under £12,000 a year will have to borrow money to cover all of the back to school costs, meaning that debt problems could develop if these aren’t repaid.

Half of low-income families asked said they will have problems buying new shoes, while 28 per cent said they won’t be able to buy their children a winter coat.

Ivan Cooper, Chairman at debt management specialists Chiltern, said: “If people are resorting to borrowing money to cover living costs like school uniforms and child’s shoes, they run the risk of developing serious debt problems, as these essential iving costs should ideally be budgeted for and should come out of the household income.”

Uniforms were also a particular concern for parents, with 43 per cent claiming they will struggle to afford it.

Colette Marshall, director of Save the Children UK, said: “It is unacceptable that many parents, especially those on a low income, cannot afford to buy their children a winter coat or new shoes.

“The government must ensure families who are struggling to afford school costs can at least get a uniform grant from their local authority. However, this is just one thing they need to do if they are to end child poverty in the UK by 2020.”