Parents can't agree over new law designed to make school uniforms 'more affordable'

A new school uniform law which is due to come into force is designed to save parents hundreds of pounds.

Under the bill, schools will be forced to keep branded items to a minimum, meaning parents will be able to buy uniform from supermarkets and other lower cost shops.

According to The Children's Society parents currently spend an average of £337 on uniform for each child at secondary school, and £315 for kids at primary school.

The law will put into place rules that see families get the best value for school uniform.

This will include making school uniform easily available and consist of items that can be bought cheaply - for example, in a supermarket.

Branded items must be kept to a minimum and schools will also need to avoid specifying expensive items of clothing.

Finally, schools will need to demonstrate that they have obtained the best value for money in their clothing contracts.

They'll also be asked to avoid single supplier contracts that limit where parents can buy uniform.

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We asked ECHO readers for their thoughts on whether the new law will work and we were inundated with hundreds of comments from parents.

The subject prompted a strong response and seemed to divide opinion, with some parents saying the new law was desperately needed, while others felt it would make little difference.

Ed Lev said: "I will still have to pay almost £20 for a branded jumper for an eight year old."

Stephen Chaderton said: "School uniforms should be subsidised by the government, good quality clothing at reasonable prices. Some schools uniform prices are madness for the average family. I agree every child should wear one."

Stuart Swarbrick said: "It doesn't really make any difference whatsoever to a majority of us - my daughter included.

"I will still be paying eye-watering amounts for bespoke uniforms at single outlets. So why is this not a blanket law for all schools?"

Emily Gaskell said: "When I was in school, they sold the badges for the school separately, so you could buy your uniform from wherever you wanted and just attached it yourself. That school is now an academy and has a complete different uniform where every item has to be bought from the school!

"It’s a massively expense, my son only starts nursery for three hours in September and I'm already panicking about the costs of the uniform!"

Colin Thompson said: "I remember when my daughter first started secondary school and they basically made us buy from the school. Obviously you want to buy two or three of most things but it cost me more than a holiday abroad would. I quickly got a rude awakening to how costly secondary school uniform was compared to primary school. Glad something is being done about it.

"Fortunately I was okay for the money but I couldn't help think about so many kids whose parents would struggle just buying one of everything and accessories etc."

Grace Roberts said: "There should be a basic uniform and not something which costs a ridiculous amount of money and only available from one particular shop - then there is no competition of who has the better trainers etc."

James Ellison said: "This has been a long time coming. It will help the poorer to save money and streamline supplies."