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Parents will pay less for school uniforms under new rules planned by Labour.<\/p>\n
Labour\u2019s Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced plans to limit the number of expensive branded items schools can demand parents buy.<\/p>\n
Instead of being ordered to purchase specific items, parents will be free to dress their children in smart but cheaper equivalents.<\/p>\n
The average cost of a school uniform is currently \u00a3422 every year for secondary pupils and \u00a3287 for primary pupils, according to research by the Children\u2019s Society. But a Labour Government would cut the bill for hard-pressed families, Ms Phillipson said.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cAs children and parents look forward to the new term, Labour is determined to reset the relationship between schools and families, and that includes reducing the cost of school uniforms.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the Conservatives\u2019 Cost of Living Crisis raging, it\u2019s wrong that parents are having to shell out hundreds of pounds to kit out kids for the new school term.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> Average child goes through 945 school uniform items during their school life<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why Labour will limit the number of branded items of uniform\u00a0that families must buy, save them money, and make sure that every child gets a brilliant state education.\u201d<\/p>\n Labour would change guidance created by the Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021 to ensure parents are required to buy no more than three \u201cbranded\u201d items of uniform and PE kit, rather than multiple branded items such as skirts, blouses, polo shirts, trousers, jumpers and ties.<\/p>\n The cost of school uniforms has risen by 30 percent in the last three years. However Conservative MP Sir John Hayes said they nonetheless save parents\u2019 money by ensuring they are not under pressure to buy children expensive designer clothes.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cWhat is still worse is the prospect of bringing fashion parades to classrooms, as children from wealthier families would soon be sporting the latest designer brands in place of their uniform dark trousers and skirts, white shirts and blouses and monogrammed blazers.<\/p>\n \u201cPester power would doubtless be in full force with children from poorer families begging their parents to let them compete in the fashion stakes. Far from the short-sighted moaners claim that school uniforms add to the financial burden on families, in fact it saves them money.\u201d<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n