Ministers back law aiming to cut uniform costs
New legislation, which has been backed by ministers, would lead to new guidance encouraging schools to keep down costs, as well as keeping compulsory branded items, like blazers, to a minimum.
The bill would require the government to produce statutory guidance that schools will be legally required to follow. The department currently produces advisory guidance encouraging schools to keep costs down - such as by opting for uniforms available in supermarkets.
The bill will now head to the House of Lords where it is not expected to be blocked.
Schools Minister Nick Gibb promised schools would not be forced to make "sudden changes to their uniform policy" for the new school year in September.
Putting guidance on a legal footing would bring the English school system into line with Wales, where this has been the case since September 2019.
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