Call for cheaper school uniforms

The start of a school year can be a costly time for parents

Parents are being urged not to let schools hold them to ransom over the cost of school uniforms.

The Local Government Association (LGA) says research shows nearly a fifth of parents can only get uniforms from one supplier, or via the school itself.

The LGA, which represents councils in England, says this means some parents face much higher prices than others able to buy uniforms in supermarkets.

Schools should ensure they use at least two suppliers, says the organisation.

Other measures in the association's three-point plan to help parents include availability of school symbols and logos that can be sewed on to clothing, and giving parents the chance to buy items second-hand.

The LGA fears parents forced to go to a single supplier for uniforms that are distinctive to a particular school are missing out on the increasing choice of low-cost clothing available at stores such as Asda, Tesco and M&S.

Siobhan Freegard, founder of the Netmums website, said: "If it's a private school then you make your choice and accept the consequences.

'Really unfair'

"But if it's a state school and schools are still insisting that parents go to a specialist uniform shop where the prices are higher than on the High Street then there's something really, really unfair about that."

School governors - who have a statutory duty not to disadvantage children - can face action under competition law if they fail to ensure choice is available.

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School uniform is cheaper than allowing children to choose their own clothes

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In February, Children's Secretary Ed Balls said he was "very concerned" that some schools were not following existing guidance.

He spoke out after a report revealed parents spent an average of £683 a year funding school equipment for primary school children and £1,195 on secondary pupils.

This included spending on uniforms, PE kit, trips, lunch, travel, stationery, extra classes and other voluntary contributions.

Councils can give discretionary grants towards the cost of uniforms but warn such funding could become scarcer as the recession squeezes council funds.

Earlier this week, a study from Save the Children and Family Action found that more than half of Scottish parents on low incomes could not afford to pay for their children's uniforms and equipment.

It suggested 56% of families with incomes under £15,000 would not be able to buy everything their children needed, with 24% expected to go into debt to pay for essential items.