Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the affordability of compulsory school uniform items for families; and if she will consider introducing a (a) recommended maximum price (b) price cap for such items.

Too many families report that school uniform costs remain a financial burden and the government has legislated to limit the number of branded uniform items that schools can require, helping to reduce costs for parents and remove barriers to children accessing sport and other school activities.

Schools can now require no more than three branded items, or four in secondary and middle schools where a branded tie is compulsory, saving families up to £50 per child on their back-to-school shop.

We have also strengthened expectations on affordability through statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms. This guidance is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms.

Schools will be expected to consider the cost of individual items, particularly higher-cost items such as blazers, and the overall uniform cost when assessing affordability.

Our approach gives parents choice in how they manage uniform costs, including the option to buy items from a range of retailers. A cost cap would be complex, difficult to enforce and burdensome for schools, and the government has no plans to introduce a maximum price or cost cap.