New rules to drive down costs of school uniforms
Schools will have to make sure second-hand uniforms are available
New rules have been set out by the Department for Education (DfE) today, which will force schools to lower the cost of their uniforms.
Research from DfE back in 2015 revealed parents could save ÂŁ50 on average, if they were able to buy their children's uniform items from any store, rather than designated shops or the schools themselves.
It's thought the steps schools will take include removing unnecessary branding and allowing more high street options.
"The rent? The food? What do you give up to buy a uniform? Lots of people have to make that choice"
George Eustice is Chair of the Lesalden Foundation which runs the Worthing Uniform Centre and says the rules are "long overdue".
He said: "When you look at the report in the House of Commons which came out in May, they were talking about prices of well over ÂŁ200 for a full set which to you or I might not be the end of the world, but if you're on a low income or on benefits then that's a lot of money.
"Of course people grow out of it, it gets worn out, damaged, torn and needs cleaning. So it's a lot more than ÂŁ200 you have to think about in the long run.
"The original report, quite interestingly, said uniforms shouldn't be so expensive that it stops a child going to school. Well how much is too expensive to prevent it? The rent? The food? What do you give up to buy a uniform? Lots of people have to make that choice."
Some argue that school uniforms are outdated and an unnecessary cost for parents.
George doesn't agree. He said: "If you don't have them at all I can see it being a competition for who has got the best clothes, it would be obvious who has the money. The people with the money would be buying the good clothes, the people without wouldn't be able to compete.
"It's almost more fair to someone with a low income to have everybody in the same uniform, because you're not under pressure then to get the latest trainers."