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15 Sep 2013

Branded school uniforms: sense of pride or unwanted expense?

As schools are told to avoid branded uniforms, Channel 4 News asks if uniforms are still seen a sign of identity or an unwelcome expense for hard-pressed parents.

Schools minister David Law said the cost of clothing was often “unnecessarily high” at a time when family budgets were being squeezed.

An Office of Fair Trading investigation last year suggested that three quarters of schools placed restrictions on where uniforms could be bought.

That typically added £5 to the price tag for each item, leaving parents an estimated £52m a year worse off.

Speaking as the Liberal Democrat conference gets under way in Glasgow, Mr Laws announced new guidance for schools.

New school uniforms

Mr Laws said: “Costs at the start of a school term can quickly add up, particularly for families with several school age children.

“School uniforms can be an important sign of identity and pride, but at a time when many family budgets are squeezed parents should not be forced to spend more than they need to.

“We will send a strong signal to schools that it is vital to secure value for money for parents before changing or introducing new school uniforms.

“Parents need to be able to shop around to find the best deal.

“I want to see fewer schools using single suppliers and branded items, which keep costs unnecessarily high.”

Read more: Lib Dems – beards, bags and sweeties

Mr Laws said exclusive single supplier contracts should not be used, unless regular tendering processes are run to ensure firms provide value for money.

They should also not enter into ‘cashback’ agreements with shops.

Branding

Compulsory items of uniform should be available relatively cheaply, and branding should be kept “to a minimum”, under the guidelines.

Schools are urged to avoid changing specifications frequently.

Mr Laws added: “We are issuing new guidance across all of the schools across England, reacting really to the Office of Fair Trading report,which came out last year which showed that parents across the country seem to be paying something like £50m more in school uniform costs than they ought to be paying.”

He said ensuring parents had greater choice, would result in a reduction of uniform prices.

Here is what you said about school uniforms:

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