Even state school education is not free, accountants warn

Outgoings such as meals, transport, uniforms and books come to �865 a year from the ages of five to 16, the accountancy firm MGI Watson Buckle found.

David Warren, a spokesman for MGI, said: "You've little choice about educating your children, so it makes sense to make it as painless as possible.

"It's never too early to plan finances and put aside the amounts of money you are likely to need."

Debts

MGI workd out that school lunches cost an average of �324 a year.

Clothes and shoes came to �178, while transport was �108 and books �31.

School trips cost an average of �84 and after-school clubs �45.

Around 7% of children attend a private school, with fees ranging from �7,000 to �16,000 a year, MGI added.

It also warned families to prepare for increased student debt as the cost of tuition fees rises to a maximum of �3,000 annually from 2006.

Mr Warren said: "If an average student debt is around �12,000 and a child has just turned 13, then a family needs to save approximately �200 a month if it is to cover the debts run up.