FAMILIES across the north west of England are paying £720m a year to meet the most basic costs of their children’s schooling, new research has revealed.

Parents in the region are forking out, on average, almost £800 per child each year for school clothing, sports kits, school meals, trips, books, materials for classes, stationery, computers for homework, travel to and from school and summer clubs or activities, according to a study from The Children’s Commission on Poverty, a panel of children from across England.