BRIDGET PHILLIPSON: 'I know what it's like to grow up in a struggling family - money was tight'

I know what it’s like to grow up in a struggling family. My mam was a single parent and money was tight.

But when it came to school, she always made sure my shirt was clean and my shoes shone. Back then, we were lucky. Our uniform was affordable – a tie and a sew-on badge, not a long list of branded items.

Today, it’s a different story. Too many schools demand costly branded blazers, jumpers and PE kits, piling the pressure on families. Some children are even missing school because their only uniform is in the wash. It’s punishing poverty, and it needs to stop.

New figures from Parentkind show a third of families use buy-now-pay-later schemes to afford uniform, almost half rely on credit cards, and a quarter go without heating or food to cover costs.

Today’s parent survey also shows that despite four in five parents saying supermarket uniforms are just as good, nearly half have reported that their child was punished or told off for wearing supermarket not branded kit.

READ MORE: Parents using 'buy now pay later' schemes and going without food to afford school uniforms

For children on free school meals or with special educational needs, it’s closer to two thirds. Uniform matters. It creates pride and belonging. But when the cost stops children learning, it has failed its purpose.

Parents want fewer branded items – and we’re delivering. Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we’re capping uniform at three branded items, meaning families can shop where suits their budgets.

Schools already have guidance to keep branded kit to a minimum, but too many still demand five, ten or even more costly items. That’s why we’re legislating. But I know families need help now.

So today I’m calling on every school not to wait until September 2026 when the Bill becomes law. Show leadership. Ease the burden. No child should miss learning because their family can’t afford a blazer.

Many schools are already proving it can be done – changing policies, working with suppliers, and showing that great education is about teaching and high standards, not logos.

Reducing the cost of kitting out children is just one of the measures government is putting in place to support families, building on our free Best Start breakfast clubs, expansion of 30 hours of funded childcare, and significant extension in free school meal eligibility, reaching half a million more children. Through our Plan for Change, we are backing families at every stage.

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