The cost of a school packed lunch has almost doubled due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, according to recent research.
Skyrocketing Prices
Key ingredients such as cheese and tomatoes have seen an increase of over 160 percent in price, while bread prices have been hiked by 121 percent. Yoghurt prices have risen by 135 percent and crisps by 86 percent, making school lunches more expensive than ever before.
A Shocking Rise
Since the beginning of the last school year, the cost of a school packed lunch has increased by 15 percent. That means parents are now spending an average of £2.73 per packed lunch — which is 95 percent higher than it was in April 2021.
The Parental Struggle
Parents are feeling the financial strain as they prepare for the back-to-school season. Rachel Kerrone, family finance expert at Starling Bank, said, "From uniform to stationery, parents have a lot to buy in back-to-school season — let alone their child’s daily expenses like lunch, travel, and after-school clubs."
Cutting Back
According to a poll conducted by Starling Bank, more than two-thirds of parents are sacrificing takeaways to cover school essentials, with a third even cancelling TV subscriptions.
The Cheapest Option
For those looking to save money, Lidl offers the most affordable packed lunch option, costing £10.65 per week. Other supermarkets like Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons have priced their packed lunches at £12.99, £13.95, £14.49, £14.62, and £15.11, respectively.
