Labour pledges to cut school uniform costs by limiting number of branded items parents are forced to buy

Labour is aiming to help parents struggling with the cost of living crisis by reducing the number of branded school uniform items they are forced to buy.

The party has pledged to change existing statutory guidance so mothers and fathers are only requited only to buy a maximum of three branded items of uniform and PE kit.

The party’s announcement comes after recent research by the Children’s Society found parents and carers of secondary school children are paying on average £422 per year on uniforms, and around £287 for primary school children.

 The charity said the high costs of school uniforms are partly due to some schools forcing parents to buy branded items which have to be bought from specialist shops rather than supermarkets or high-street chains

Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, said: “As 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.

“With the Conservatives’ cost-of-living crisis raging, it’s wrong that parents are having to shell out hundreds of pounds to kit out kids for the new school term.”

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Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) general secretary Geoff Barton said last week families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis would be helped if schools avoided “having logos on every item” as this pushes up the price.

Unions have also called for schools to cut back on the amount of branded uniform required.

Statutory guidance introduced in 2021 states schools must keep the use of branded items to “a minimum”.

The research published in June found parents are still having to spend “exorbitant amounts” on school uniforms despite efforts to keep costs down.

The study of 2000 parents found on average pupils were required to have three branded items, and 29% of secondary school pupils are required to own up to five branded items including PE kits.

It also found 13% of secondary schools expect their pupils to have as many as seven branded items.

Mark Russell, chief executive of The Children’s Society, said: “With inflation and the cost of living eating into family budgets, we are disappointed that the affordability of school uniforms remains a significant financial burden for many families.”

The research comes despite schools in England being asked to review uniform policies and reduce uniform costs from September 2022.

To help parents struggling to afford uniforms, several high street retailers including Marks & Spencer have launched online second-hand school uniform shops.

Additional reporting by Press Association.