today backs the Sunday People’s campaign to make school uniform more affordable.
After we revealed the soaring cost for parents the party pledged a new law to make schools provide reasonably priced clothes.
Labour ’s Shadow Education Minister Angela Rayner has written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirming the new policy and urged him to end the injustice that forces some parents to fork out £340 for a single child’s uniform.
Nearly four years ago the Tories promised guidance on uniform prices and an end to the practice of using one expensive supplier. Yet no new rules are in place.
Ms Rayner said: “School uniforms are a significant cost that millions of families need to meet every summer.”
She told Mr Williamson: “I hope you will fulfil the previous commitment of the Government in introducing statutory guidance on uniform costs.”
More than a quarter of secondary schools require three or more uniform items with a badge or logo, which attract premium prices. And the number of schools using specialist suppliers has doubled, so parents cannot take advantage of cheaper supermarket deals. Many parents now rely on uniform exchanges to save money.
The Children’s Society says the number of families paying an average £340 a year per child at secondary school has risen by seven per cent, or £24, in four years.
Parents of primary kids spend on average £255, up two per cent since 2015. Ms Rayner said: “The Children’s Society found a million children live in families falling into debt because of uniform costs.
“This had led to young people going to school in uniforms that don’t fit, or even being sent home for wearing the wrong clothes. This is a humiliation no child deserves. The Tories know this a problem.”
In Wales, heads may specify basic items, such as trousers and shirts and their colours, but not styles, so parents can shop around.
