New rules on school uniforms could help Lancashire families save money
The government is trying to make uniforms more affordable
New rules to make school uniforms more affordable have been announced by the Department for Education.
From next autumn, schools in England will be required to push costs down by removing unnecessary branding and allowing more high-street school uniforms.
Second-hand uniforms will also have to become available, so in order to reduce carbon emissions.
Blackpool mum Sarah Southworth runs a Facebook group which helps parents with second hand uniforms, and she says it "will save hundreds".
"Recently a lot of people have had their Universal Credit cut, myself included, and they're not making it any easier for parents to afford uniforms. It's not come down in price in a decade. This year I've seen a lot of people contacting me for second hand uniform, and I'd say its busier than every because people are really struggling.
"My daughter started high school this year, and she's had to have a logo branded skirt which in itself is £25. Then you have the blazer, which is logoed which is £35, and that's before you even bought shirts, ties, socks and PE kit. My cost came up to about £250.
"This taking the logos off things will save hundreds, especially if you've got more than one child."
The new rules will be implemented in time for the next academic year, beginning in September 2022.
However, Ms Southworth is confused as to why it will take 10 months for the rules to be introduced.
"I don't see why it can't start now", she said.
"A lot of parents midway through term need to replace uniform. They grow up very quickly, it gets scruffed, it gets holes in it. I don't understand why it needs to take so long, but at least we've got this news."
It is thought that introducing these legally-binding guidelines will ensure that parents will get the best value for money.
Research from the Department for Education in 2015 found that families can save around £50 by buying school uniform items from the high-street, including supermarket-brand clothing.
The move comes as the government ensured that uniforms do not restrict where pupils go to school supports its mandate to "level-up" disadvantaged areas of the UK.