The cost of school uniform is set to fall by hundreds of pounds for some parents thanks to a new law that was finally given the green light today.
The Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Bill was introduced by Labour MP Mike Amesbury in February last year following a successful campaign by the Sunday People.
It has now received Royal Assent today, which is when the Queen agrees to make it into law, after passing through Parliament and the House of Lords.
The new bill will see schools told that they must keep branded items - which are often more expensive for parents - to a minimum.
This means hard-up mums and dads can buy cheaper supermarket kit, in a move that could save some parents hundreds of pounds if they have more than one child.
Will the school uniform bill help you cut costs? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
According to The Children’s Society, parents spend £337 per year on average on uniform for each child at secondary school.
For primary school children, the average spend is £315 on average.
Full guidance on how schools will need to enforce the law has yet to be published, and it’s unclear when exactly it could come into effect.
Schools minister Nick Gibb previously said the government “wholeheartedly” supported the uniform legislation, which had been delayed going through Parliament due to the coronavirus crisis.
Mr Amesbury shared his joy on Twitter yesterday as he confirmed the bill has now “finished its journey through Parliament”.
He said: “I'm thrilled - my School Uniforms Bill has now finished its journey through Parliament and will become law tomorrow.
“It will help families across England struggling with uniform costs.
“Huge thanks to Baroness Lister, Children’s Society and everyone else who helped it over the line.”
While Mark Russell, chief executive of The Children’s Society, said: "It’s been a long journey but we are delighted the bill has finally passed, making affordable school uniforms a reality for struggling families.
"We’ve heard of children being sent home from school because their parents could not afford the correct uniform and of families facing impossible choices like cutting back on food or heating in order to buy the right kit."
