Too many parents are still facing expensive school uniform costs due to a “plethora of branding” despite a change in the law, ministers have been told. Labour MP Mike Amesbury said schools must “actually apply the law” aimed at keeping uniform costs down by removing unnecessary branding and logos.
The Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act, which Mr Amesbury sponsored in the Commons, received the Government’s backing and came into force in autumn last year. But the Weaver Vale MP told the Commons: “Since the introduction of my Private Member’s Bill to help reduce the cost of school uniforms, which is now law, far too many schools still require a plethora of branding and logos.”
He asked: “What are ministers going to do to ensure those schools actually apply the law?” Schools minister Nick Gibb said it was a matter for headteachers to apply the new law, and said parents were able to complain if they did not think schools were following the rules.
He said: “It was a pleasure to work with him in making sure that piece of important legislation, putting the guidance on the cost of school uniform into statutory form. I congratulate him on that Bill. These are matters ultimately for headteachers, but the guidance is there and if parents are concerned that schools aren’t abiding by that guidance, every school has a formal complaints procedure.”
Under guidance published by the Government following the introduction of the Act, schools must make sure second-hand uniforms are available. They are also advised to keep branded uniform items to a minimum and are encouraged to allow more high-street options.
A spokesperson from The Children’s Society, which campaigned for the new guidance, said: “We have seen that some schools have done extremely well in changing their policies and making school uniform affordable, such as improving access to second-hand uniforms and reducing branded items. However, we would like to see this applied more widely so more children can benefit, especially as family budgets are so tight in the cost-of-living crisis”.
Matthew Easter, chair of the Schoolwear Association that represents manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of school uniforms, said: “In our experience, the guidance is working effectively. Schools are very aware of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on their pupils and are working hard to ensure that their uniforms offer value for money.
“The majority of schools that our members work with have now reviewed their uniform policies, many finding that their original uniform was already compliant with the new guidance’s requirements to keep branded items ‘to a minimum’.”
