NEWS: New Bill Cuts School Uniform Costs

As reported by Gov.uk, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to ease financial stress on families by limiting branded uniform requirements and funding free breakfast clubs

The government is committed to ensuring that families are not burdened with unnecessary costs when preparing their children for school. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill includes measures to reduce school uniform expenses and provide free breakfast clubs in all state-funded primary schools in England.

Nearly half of parents have expressed concerns about the cost of school uniforms, and 12% have reported experiencing financial hardship as a result.

While some schools have already taken steps to lower uniform costs, others require parents to purchase as many as 10 or more branded items per child. This limits families’ ability to buy affordable alternatives from high-street retailers or supermarkets.

Under the new bill, schools will be restricted to requiring no more than three branded items as part of their uniform policy. Secondary and Middle schools may include one additional branded item if it is a tie. These branded items will be strictly limited to affordable and durable options.

These changes are part of the government’s commitment to supporting families and ensuring that every child has access to high-quality education without the added financial stress.