UK School Uniforms Are About to Be Cheaper For Around 4.2m Children — But Should They Be Mandatory At All?

Cash-strapped parents across England have heaved a sigh of relief as Parliament unveiled the Children Wellbeing and Schools Bill that promises to ease their burden by slashing the spiralling costs of school uniforms.

The game-changing bill, championed by the Department of Education, aims to ease the financial strain on parents of more than 4.2 million schoolchildren across 8,000 school districts by potentially saving families a staggering £70 million nationwide.

The first reading of this legislation at the House of Lords was on 19 March, and the second reading is scheduled for 1 May. If approved, the bill will be introduced in September 2026, affecting 7/10 secondary schools and 35% of primary schools.

Exorbitant Cost of School Uniforms

The move follows troubling findings that nearly one in four parents struggle with uniform costs, with many forced to cut corners elsewhere or borrow from relatives just to meet strict school requirements.

As living costs skyrocket, secondary school uniforms now cost £442, while primary school uniforms come in at £343. A 2024 study by YouGov found that 28% of parents find it 'difficult' or 'very difficult' to afford uniforms on top of school supplies.

'It's just a nightmare,' a Darlington mother of three school children told the BBC. 'My daughter's school is really strict on the uniform. You can't get black trousers, it's got to be grey, or pleated skirts... For their shoes alone I'm looking at £60 a year, and there's three of them.' These amounts do not include additional costs, such as PE uniforms and blazers. 'It's a lot of money when it all adds up,' she added.

The government has previously attempted to address these concerns by instructing schools to limit the number of branded items. However, a recent government survey reveals that nearly half of UK schools are failing to comply. In fact, one in five has increased the number of branded items in the past year. The new bill aims to target these unnecessary costs by making school uniforms simpler and thus more affordable.

New Legislation Proposes 3 Mandatory Items, Plus a Tie

The proposed bill aims to 'crack down on excessive profit making' and 'remove barriers to opportunity in schools.' To this end, it will significantly reduce uniform costs by limiting the mandatory clothing worn by students to three branded items and a tie for secondary students. Additionally, the legislation calls for free breakfast to be provided to pupils. Overall, it is expected to save parents £500.

'Looking smart at school shouldn't cost the earth, and no parent should be forced to choose between buying family essentials and a school shirt or tie,' Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said. 'Alongside our free breakfast clubs, these new laws will save parents hundreds of pounds a year, and make sure family finances have no bearing on children's time at school.'

'This bill is about keeping children safe, saving parents money and bringing every school up to the standard of the best, so we can break down barriers to opportunity and deliver our Plan for Change,' she added— a reference to her intention to 'modernise' the education sector.

UK Mother Speaks Out Against Uniform Guidelines

An opinion piece in Metro by Sally Hope, a mother of three, outlines why she believes school uniforms are outdated and inaccessible. Since her children attend different schools, she has noticed that some impose stricter standards or require more expensive uniforms than others, often to ridiculous extents. Her oldest daughter, for example, had to buy a branded apron with her name embroidered for her food tech class.

'Why do we even need branded items of clothing?' Hope wrote. 'To make the school look good certainly, but I can't see how this benefits the child. In fact, I don't believe children need to wear shirts and ties and blazers at all. [...] School is for learning, for doing, for growing. Not for looking good.'

Hope's frustrations are only exacerbated by her autistic son's struggles. In her article, she explains that he 'detests' the texture of his secondary school uniform, making every day a struggle sensory-wise.

Not only are uniforms tough on neurodivergent children, but they are also an outdated practice. Hopes argues that uniforms no longer prepare children for office work, as business attire has long gone out of style in modern spaces. 'The way we work is changing, and schools need to reflect that,' she states. Instead, she calls for schools to teach children that their looks do not matter as much as the quality of their character.

Hundreds of Pounds Available For Families in Need

Thousands of English families in need are eligible for up to £200 via the Household Support Fund to cover school uniforms and bills. To find out whether you are eligible, you must locate your area through www.gov.uk/find-local-council. Then, contact your local council— through their website or via phone— and apply to the program.

The practical approach of the bill acknowledges the harsh reality faced by families who've been forced to choose between proper school attire and everyday essentials.

As Parliament finalises the details, millions of families look forward to its passage without the usual dread of uniform costs—a small but significant victory in Britain's ongoing cost-of-living battle.