Labour’s flagship faculty uniforms regulation undermined by one awkward reality | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Bridget Phillipson’s flagship plan to restrict the variety of faculty uniform objects a college can prescribe for pupils took a significant hit in the present day after it emerged the price of objects has fallen for a 3rd yr in a row. The Education Secretary is introducing a brand new regulation that she claims will assist mother and father with the price of faculty uniforms.

However it’s already been warned that the regulation might inadvertently find yourself rising prices for fogeys. Now it’s emerged that the price of faculty uniforms is falling in actual phrases anyway, additional undermining the necessity for Ms Phillipson’s regulation. Data collected from 548 colleges, representing roughly 15% of England’s secondary faculty inhabitants, reveals that costs rose by 34% lower than the speed of inflation.

The common value of college uniforms, together with daywear and sportswear, is now £92.45. However, had costs tracked inflation, this determine would have risen to round £130 as an alternative.

This is the third yr in a row the place uniforms have change into extra inexpensive, and means that Labour’s interfering regulation may very well be moot. While colleges are at present capable of demand pupils have as many branded objects as they like, the common variety of items is 5.2 objects.

Experts have warned that if restricted to simply three objects, as Ms Phillipson goals to do, the price to oldsters might counterintuitively enhance.

School leaders say the primary objects to be dropped will likely be PE kits and college baggage. Parents will then must supply their very own gear, nonetheless will likely be pressured by their youngsters to get costlier, luxurious objects to keep away from bullying.

Matthew Easter, Chair of the Schoolwear Association, mentioned: “The government has repeatedly stated that the school uniform cap will save parents money.

“But the existing schools’ guidance and the work of specialist retailers have ensured that uniforms have been consistently getting cheaper in real terms for several years.

“While we support the principle of making sure uniforms are affordable for families across the country, this blunt, bureaucratic cap is likely to cause parents to end up spending more in the long-term and undermine the progress made under the 2022 guidance.

“We urge the government to recognise the schoolwear sector’s progress in reducing costs, and work with the industry to find a better solution to an arbitrary cap which will do more harm than good for families’ pockets.”

Ms Phillipson has additionally been warned that the cap might lead to fewer faculty uniform objects being donated to struggling households.

Kate France, who runs a so-called ‘uniform bank’ for households in want, mentioned in the present day’s figures on the price of package “highlight the importance of durable, high-quality uniforms”.

She added: “At Uniform Exchange, we see daily how robust uniforms from specialist retailers significantly reduce family costs and environmental waste by lasting through multiple children.

“The proposed cap on school-specific items risks pushing families towards cheaper, less durable supermarket uniforms, increasing overall spending and waste. It could also drastically reduce the availability of quality donated uniforms for families in need.”

Peers will debate the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill at Committee Stage subsequent week.