Parents 'must not be held to ransom' over school uniforms

25/08/2009

Schools should give parents a wider choice of suppliers to bring down the cost of school uniforms, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.

The lobbying body, which represents 423 local authorities in England and Wales, noted that with 7.3 million children heading back to state primary and secondary schools in September, this could be an expensive month for mums and dads across the country.

It added that at present, around 17 per cent of parents can get uniforms and PE kit from either a single designated shop or direct from their children's school.

The LGA is calling for uniforms to be available from a minimum of two different suppliers, not including the school itself.

It also recommends that school badges be made available as sew-on patches, allowing parents to customise low-cost clothing available at many supermarkets.

LGA chairman, councillor Margaret Eaton said: "Mums and dads everywhere should feel able to ask questions of their school governors and speak up if they think uniform is too expensive or too hard to get hold of."

Tags; Budgeting Advice, Young Family Finances,

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