New law to create school uniform costs more affordable
A new law has been passed that will require schools to follow new statutory assistance with uniform costs, instructing them to keep prices down.
The cross-party support for the Bill recognised the expense parents face for college uniform, designed for branded items, and also the statutory guidance will tell schools to consider high-street alternatives. It will also include measures on encouraging second-hand uniform, schools’ arrangements with suppliers, and ensuring parents get access to clear information about uniform policies.
The new law, introduced as a Private Members’ Bill by Mike Amesbury MP and given government backing, enables the government to set statutory guidance for schools to think about about costs for uniforms.
The Department for Education will publish the statutory guidance in the autumn this season, that will concentrate on ensuring costs are reasonable for groups of all backgrounds and giving parents the very best good value. It will likewise advise schools to make certain that once they occupy contracts with uniform suppliers, they're competitive and transparent in order to keep costs down.
School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said: "School uniforms are essential in establishing the best ethos inside a school. Additionally they assist in improving behaviour and a feeling of belonging and identity. But we want to be sure they are affordable for moms and dads. This new law will help to save families money and ensure the price of a blazer or kit is never a barrier to accessing the perfect education."
Baroness Blake, chair from the Municipality Association’s Children and Young adults Board, said: “This will be significant legislation and an area in which we have required more action. Councils have been concerned about the growing price of school uniforms, with branded compulsory components of clothing making uniform and PE kits too expensive for many families.
“Research has discovered that a million children reside in families across England who're getting into debt to meet the rising cost of school uniforms. This new law will help parents avoid being pushed into debt in order for their kids to look smart by looking into making it more affordable, especially for those with multiple children to kit out.”
Matt Easter, co-chair of the Schoolwear Association, commented: "As the leading schoolwear industry body, we welcome the Bill and also the help it will give you for schools looking for further assistance with their uniform policies, to guarantee the procedure for choosing a uniform supplier is really as robust, competitive and simple as possible.
"Particularly, we welcome the government’s recognition that the quality and longevity of garments should be thought about alongside their cost. As the vast majority of schools already strive to keep their uniforms affordable, this Bill is an important step to enable them to keep the best decisions on their uniform policies and provide the very best support to oldsters."
