Cutting the cost of school uniforms
After a seven-year campaign, started by a group of young people, we changed the law. Now all schools in England will have to make sure uniforms are affordable. It has now started to make a huge difference to families who previously had to choose between paying the bills or buying a new blazer. We are now supporting the Government to go even further to keep driving uniform costs down for families. Learn about our #CutTheCost campaign and what the changes means for your school.
How did cut the cost start?
What started #CutTheCost?
It all started in 2014 with a group of young people. They showed how expensive uniforms were stopping children making the most out of school.
Students were missing out on lessons or being sent home from school for not having the right kit. Being singled out like this made them worry what others in class thought of them.
Stories like this one from a project worker about a boy being excluded weren't uncommon:
uniform costs getting people expelled
‘A boy I worked with needed new school shoes for September and his dad, thinking he was buying sensible, long-lasting shoes bought him some black boots from Sports Direct. At school, the boy was told this was a breach of uniform, as boots are not allowed. He was told to leave the school premises and return only when he had the correct footwear. He told me
My dad's just spent £70 on these. He can’t afford to buy me any more shoes.
how cut the cost campaign developed
2015
The government promised to cut the cost of school uniforms. It didn't happen.
But we didn't give up. We kept up our research, uncovering how uniforms often cost hundreds of pounds.
2020
We supported a Private Members’ Bill to make schools prioritise cost when they set their uniform policies.
Thousands came together to write to their MPs, asking them to support the Bill.
how cut the cost campaign developed
2021
The Bill passed in May 2021! The Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021 made it law for schools to put cost as top priority when setting uniform policies.
As part of this, statutory guidance was published to make sure school uniforms are good value for money and school-branded items are kept to a minimum. The guidance also covers what schools need to tell parents about their uniform rules and recommends schools have second-hand or pre-loved uniforms available.
2025
A poll carried out on behalf of The Children’s Society found that almost two-in-five parents/carers (38%) were still struggling to pay for school uniform.
In the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the Government are bringing forward plans to help further cut the costs for families. These plans would place a statutory limit on the number of school-branded items of uniform that pupils would have to have.
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What these new uniform proposals mean
We're calling on the Government to implement proposals set out in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to introduce a limit of three branded items of school uniform to help families.
Our 2025 polling found an overwhelming majority of parents/carers (78%) supported introducing a statutory school-branded item limit.
When many families are already struggling to afford the basics, we can’t let the cost of school uniforms make life even harder for children.
Why this is important
Why these changes on uniform are important
The new law promises change for the many parents kept up at night worrying how they’ll afford their child’s uniform. But it’s up to schools to deliver on this promise.
Schools are seeing first-hand the cost-of-living crisis. Rising inflation and soaring energy costs are hitting families hard. With children growing up without the basics they need, it is more likely they will struggle in school.
Continuing to improve the affordability of school uniforms means families have one less thing to worry about. Children can go to school without worrying about wearing the wrong thing. They can focus on learning and fulfilling their potential.
You can find out more about these proposals, parents’ views and experiences of school-branded uniform, and the importance of this change on school-branded uniform in our briefing.
Resources for schools and families
- Are you a school in England looking to update your school uniform policy?
Affordable school uniforms: A guide
Developing pre-loved uniform provision - Are you a parent in England wanting to know what the new law means for you?
Download our explainer for families
If you have any trouble accessing these resources, or any questions, you can contact us at campaigns@childrenssociety.org.uk.
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