In Detail, In Brief: Supporting Parents with the Costs of Raising a Family
- Bristol South
- Jun 16
- 2 min read

Speaking to parents across south Bristol, I know that the cost of branded uniforms can place a huge strain on families’ finances.
That is why I am so delighted that this Labour Government have announced that we are capping the cost of school uniforms. This could save families up to £50 a year per child, which in addition to measures to extend free school meals, grow family hubs, and expand government-funded childcare, means that parents and children will be better off.
At last week’s Spending Review, the choices that Rachel Reeves made demonstrated how firmly this Labour Government is committed to supporting families. Our mission to provide opportunities for all starts with children’s crucial early years, where families build strong relationships and children develop the skills they need for life.
The Spending Review ensures an additional £1.6 billion per year by 2028-29 for government-funded childcare entitlements for working parents, boosting both children’s life chances and the choices parents can make about work.
We are also taking steps to bring down cost of living pressures for working families. This includes addressing high housing costs, capping bus fares at £3, and committing a further £13.2 billion between 2025-26 and 2029-30 for the Warm Homes Plan.
Furthermore, the Government is providing direct assistance to families most at risk of poverty through the Healthy Start scheme, and establishing a new Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1 billion a year through the Spending Review period to replace the Household Support Fund.
Finally, many of you have contacted me about SEND provision and children’s mental health. As well as expanding mental health support teams to 100% of schools in England by 2029-30, we want to make the system more inclusive and improve outcomes for all children and young people. That is why this Labour Government will reform the current Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system, and I look forward to more details about SEND reform which will be set out in a Schools White Paper in the autumn.