A new law introduced this school term in England aims to reduce uniform costs for parents by limiting branded items to three per child. This includes items such as a blazer, jumper, or sportswear, with secondary schools also permitted a branded tie.
The government estimates that some families could save up to £50 per child. However, school wear suppliers have suggested that parents might end up spending more in the long run, potentially due to replacing lower-quality generic garments more frequently.
Kay Devonshire-Murphy, a mother of three from Fareham, stated that even with the three-item limit, branded items remain expensive. She reported spending £75 on branded items for one child this year, including an £18 PE top and a £30 blazer.
Councillor Gemma Furnivall, who established a second-hand uniform bank in Fareham, noted that the new law signals the government's recognition of uniform costs as a significant pressure point for families. Mark Marande, headteacher at The Petersfield School, believes some branded items are important for students' sense of belonging and pride.
According to the Department for Education, the average total cost for one child's school uniform was just under £250 in the 2023/24 school year, with PE kit alone costing around £140.