Legislation will limit the number of branded – typically more expensive – items schools can require to three, excluding ties.
Currently, schools are required to limit the number of branded items they require, but a Government survey showed that almost half are not doing so. In fact, one in five schools are said to have actually increased the number of branded items required over the past year.
The Government said the new rules will cut school uniform costs for about 4.2 million children, saving families an estimated £73m per year collectively.
According to Government figures, parents are having to pay £442 on average to kit a child out for secondary school and £343 for primary school.
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said: “Looking smart at school shouldn’t cost the earth, and no parent should be forced to choose between buying family essentials and a school shirt or tie.
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“Alongside our free breakfast clubs, these new laws will save parents hundreds of pounds a year, and make sure family finances have no bearing on children’s time at school.
“This bill is about keeping children safe, saving parents money and bringing every school up to the standard of the best, so we can break down barriers to opportunity and deliver our Plan for Change.”
Lynn Perry MBE, CEO of Barnardo’s, said: “Barnardo’s welcomes the cap to the number of branded uniform items required by schools. It cannot be right that children are going to school wearing ill-fitted clothes or shoes due to the high cost of uniforms – but, as high prices continue to impact families, it’s yet another essential item that parents are struggling to afford.
“We look forward to seeing even bolder action in the upcoming child poverty strategy to tackle the number of children growing up in poverty.”
