Around 7,000 families in east London are set to benefits from a council’s school uniform grant.
Tower Hamlets has set aside £3million over the next three years to give payments of £50 each to children starting primary school and £150 to students starting secondary school. The grant applies to families earning less than £50,350.
It comes as the government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill looks to limit the number of branded uniform items a school can require, which will go some way to ease the financial burden on parents.
Mohi, a father from Tower Hamlets, said school uniform costs were a worry for his family, as day to day expenses and costs “are really high”.
He told the BBC: "As a parent, we always think ahead. So [uniforms] is something that is a matter of worry for me and my family."
Parents spend an average of £422 a year on secondary school uniforms and £287 on primary uniforms, according to data from the Children's Society.
Charity Action for Children said the costs put “huge pressure on families” who are already struggling with the cost of living. Some households, it has been reported, have been cutting back on other essentials such as food or electricity, in order to ensure their children have the appropriate uniform.
The head of London Enterprise Academy said its school uniforms cost more than £200 but some items were supplied to students free of charge, including a free PE kit to all pupils who join the school, as well as free blazers.
Suraia, who is a student at the school, told the BBC when students feel “inferior” to their peers because of their uniform, it affects “literally everything” including their education.
The Government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which cleared parliament in January, limits the number of branded uniform items that schools could require parents to buy to three.
But the reforms do not provide any extra financial support for families struggling with mounting clothing costs.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said the School Uniform Grant “will go some way” in supporting young people in primary and secondary school.
