Families face rising costs for education services after East Renfrewshire Council bosses approved new charges for next year.

Pupils who take school lunches and attend classes during Easter holidays will be affected, while local kids will also continue to face some of the highest music tuition fees in the country.

Council leaders recently approved the charges, which were agreed in 2018 after a consultation as part of East Renfrewshire Council’s three-year budget.

The biggest change will see the cost of optional Easter school classes go up by 10 per cent to £68 per week, or £15 per day.

Council officers said that charge “compares favourably” with private tuition, which typically costs up to £30 per hour.

The cost of school meals will go up by five per cent, which amounts to a 10p increase at primary and secondary schools.

According to the council, “significant changes” in school food regulations, such as the removal of ham sandwiches from menus, has led to fewer pupils eating school meals, meaning less money being generated for the local authority.

Meanwhile, music tuition fees will see no increase and remain at £300 per year, or £20 an hour.

Despite this, uptake for the current school session is still lower than it was three years ago.

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said the costs of a school day can be a “real pressure” on household finances.

He told the Barrhead News: “Any increase in these costs could serve to make it more difficult for them to get by.

“While local authorities are under financial pressure, it’s important that these pressures aren’t shifted on to low-income families.

John Dickie, director of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, added: “With increasing numbers of families being pushed into poverty, it is vital that every possible action is taken to reduce the costs of the school day.”

A full concession on Easter classes and music tuition will still be available to children who already qualify for free school meals.

Pupils in primaries one to three will all be entitled to free school meals.

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “All councils are currently faced with an extremely challenging financial position and charges for all services are reviewed annually to consider if any increases are required. Any increases implemented are kept to a minimum and the particular services highlighted will remain free for our most disadvantaged children and young people to ensure equity for all.”

The cost of music tuition has remained constant for several years and is free for those studying music as a SQA course.

The spokesperson added: “The number of children benefitting from the Instrumental Music Service remains at a steady level, with some increases in recent years, and we are committed to maintaining the cost at its current level to encourage as many pupils as possible to take up this opportunity.”