A PARENT has urged shoppers to run to Aldi after discovering £7 leather school shoes in its famous middle aisle.
A Facebook user took to a bargain group to share the amazing find in the supermarket giant as some parents are already prepping for back to school.
She said on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group: “Lidl leather school shoes up to size 4!”
The user even attached proof to show others the fantastic discovery was true, with the shoes reduced from £8.99 to £6.99.
People were quick to comment on the post, with one writing: “My son had some a couple of years ago and went from September to February half term so lasted ok for him.”
Others were tagging their friends to share the brilliant bargain.
The post accumulated dozens of likes and comments.
For parents wanting to complete back-to-school on a budget, thousands of families can get up to £550 to help with the cost of school uniforms ahead of the new academic year.
Kitting out your kids for their return to school can be surprisingly costly, but help is at hand for struggling families via the Household Support Fund (HSF).
Cash grants are available to parents with children stepping through the school gates for the first time, up to those starting year 11.
The HSF provides financial help to households struggling with the high cost of living, and has been extended several times since it was first introduced by the Government in 2021.
Funding is given to local councils to distribute to those most in need in their area.
This means the support available varies across the country and what you can get depends on both your circumstances and where you live.
Grants to help with school uniform costs are offered by a number of councils across the UK, with between £15 and £550 up for grabs.
The London Borough of Greenwich, for example, is offering grants to parents of children going into reception, year 3, year 7 and year 9.
Those going into reception and year 3 could be entitled to £50, while £150 is given to those going into year 7 and £100 to children going into year 9.
To be eligible parents must receive a qualifying benefit and have children enrolled in a council maintained school.
Meanwhile, parents of students transferring from primary school to secondary school in Hackney could be entitled to a £100 grant if they receive qualifying benefits.
The council has advised parents to apply before June 30, to ensure they receive funds before the start of the new school year.
City of London council is offering grants of £60 to primary school parents and £160 to secondary school parents, if they receive qualifying benefits.
A number of other London boroughs also offer support to those in receipt of qualifying benefits.
Outside of the capital, Medway Council is giving school uniform vouchers of £100 to every eligible school-age child.
The vouchers are available to Medway residents in demonstrable hardship with less than £500 in their bank accounts, and without access to alternative funds.
Runnymede Council in Surrey will support families with up to £350 per household towards school uniform costs.
Eligible households can apply for support through the council’s website.
Waverley Borough Council, also in Surrey, is offering grants of up to £550 towards household costs, including school uniforms.
Any household finding it hard to pay essential household bills or buy essential items can apply through the council’s website, but you will need to provide evidence.
North Northamptonshire Council is also offering vouchers to cover school uniform expenses, as well as other essential back-to-school items.
IF you can't get targeted help from your council, you might have some other options available to you.
In some areas, you can talk directly to your school, which might be able to offer you clothing.
Or, you might be able to get cheap garments from low-budget shops or charity stores.
Some charities offer help to families in need too.
But bear in mind charities often have a limited amount of money to give and usually have specific criteria which must be met in order to get a grant.
Charity Turn2Us has a free grants search tool on its website which you can use to find out what help is available to you.
Meanwhile, you can always try approaching your nearest Citizens’ Advice branch.
If you don’t know where your nearest Citizens’ Advice branch is, you can find out by visiting www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/nearby/.
If you’re not eligible for a school uniform grant you might be able to get help through the Household Support Fund.
