Plans to cap the number of branded uniform items schools in England can require to three, plus a tie, could save families more than £50 a child, with additional annual savings of £450 from free breakfast clubs in all primaries, the government has said.
The cost-saving measures are laid out in the government’s children’s wellbeing and schools bill which is due to be debated on Wednesday when it gets its second reading in parliament.
Other reforms designed to protect vulnerable children and those missing education include a register for children who are not in school and the introduction of a unique identifying number to ensure no child falls through the cracks.
On uniforms, the government says 24% of primary and 70% of secondary schools still require five or more branded items, while some parents claim they have been asked to provide 10 or more for their child.
Ministers hope by limiting the number of branded items that have to be bought from designated suppliers, parents will be able to save more than £50 a child when the measures are introduced in September 2026.
The policy was welcomed by Mark Russell, the chief executive of the Children’s Society, who said: “The high cost of school uniforms has put an unnecessary financial strain on families for far too long.
“This is a pivotal moment on an issue we’ve campaigned on for years, and it’s very encouraging to see this progress towards a fairer and more affordable approach. Every child deserves to feel equal and included, regardless of their family’s income, and removing the pressure of costly branded uniforms is an essential step in making that a reality.”
The Schoolwear Association warned however that the proposed changes were too prescriptive, would increase costs for families, weaken school standards and threaten local businesses.
Its chair, Matthew Easter, said: “This completely arbitrary cap will have drastic unintended consequences for education standards and welfare – all while making the cost problem worse, not better.”
skip past newsletter promotion
after newsletter promotion
The Conservatives described the bill as “educational vandalism” and “a significant attack on academies and free schools, the same schools that have helped drive up standards”. They also warned it would result in pay cuts for “tens of thousands of teachers” by forcing academies to cut pay and conditions to match national pay scales.
The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: “This landmark bill is a crucial step forward in our mission to protect all children, while also supporting parents by putting more money in their pockets as we deliver our plan for change and give all children the best start in life.”
