New measures to lower school uniform costs

The government cut to school uniform prices will benefit over four million children, according to new analysis by the government that says the measure will save families around £73 million each year.

This follows a new survey highlighting that a third of parents are still worried about uniform costs, with one in five schools having increased the number of branded items required over the past year.

Although schools must limited the number of branded items that children must wear, today’s survey shows that almost half are not doing so.

On average, parents pay £442 towards one child’s secondary school uniform, and primary school uniform costs £343.

The new uniform laws ensure that schools must consider and aim to minimise costs fir parents, as well as capping branded items, which is expected to save parents £50 a year in their back-to-school shop. The measure to introduce free breakfast clubs will additionally save parents £500 each year.

This is part of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which includes many other measures, such as strengthening safeguarding and hosting free breakfast clubs up and down the country.

Education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: “Looking smart at school shouldn’t cost the earth, and no parent should be forced to choose between buying family essentials and a school shirt or tie.

Alongside our free breakfast clubs, these new laws will save parents hundreds of pounds a year, and make sure family finances have no bearing on children’s time at school.

“This bill is about keeping children safe, saving parents money and brining every school up to the standard of the best, so we can break down barriers to opportunity and deliver our Plan for Change.”