School Blazers and the Cost of Belonging: Government legislation to change school uniform policies

As the school year comes to an end and summer holidays are set to begin, parents across the nation who face financial insecurity will inevitably have school shopping for the next academic year at the back of their minds. With the current economic climate being in a place of instability, and the cost-of-living rising, which in turn disproportionately affects those living under the poverty line, it leaves families stuck in-between a rock and a hard place. However, as more schools consider ditching formal uniforms such as blazers and school ties, the necessity of these items has been put into question.

The Current State of Uniform Costs

Traditionally in the United Kingdom, school uniforms mainly consist of a blazer, shirt, tie, smart shoes, and a skirt or trousers. The general consensus is that uniforms are necessary to create visual unity and a sense of community among the student body, and to reflect the workplace that pupils will transition into once they finish secondary or higher education.

That being said however, as the country faces economic insecurity where parents are stuck choosing between paying monthly bills, being able to afford petrol/diesel or buying the weekly grocery shop, school-branded clothing items are becoming increasingly difficult to budget for.

The Wrong Blazer, a report released by the Children’s Society in 2020, reported concerning statistics regarding school uniform costs in the UK, as parents of children in state-schools spent an average of £337 per year for secondary school-aged children and £315 per year for primary school-aged children.^[1]

In 2020, a quarter of parents surveyed said the cost of school uniforms meant their child was left wearing clothes that didn’t fit or were unclean.^[2] Which, in turn can lead to bullying, despite school uniform’s purpose as an economic leveller to eliminate clothing-based bullying.

The Child Action Poverty Group said this could lead to difficulty focusing on classes and losing out on learning opportunities as children have these underlying worries about not fitting in or being mocked for wearing clothes that don’t fit. ^[3]

School-Branded Items – Unaffordable and Unsustainable

School-branded items are much more expensive than generic school wear found in shops like Asda George or Tesco. The most recognisable school-branded clothing item is, of course, the school blazer.

Usually, schools will partner with a school uniform clothing brand to create uniform items with the school’s logo embroidered on the breast pocket. 

To examine how unaffordable current uniform prices are, I drew a comparison between three major school uniform brands: Trutex, MyClothing and Uniform Direct. 

Trutex charges are based on sizing; the more material used, the higher the cost – but generally it is around £40 for one blazer. MyClothing charges £28 while Uniform Direct’s blazers are the cheapest among the three major brands at £24. 

At an average cost, that is £31.33 per blazer.

Unfortunately, the longevity of such items is inevitably poor, because as any parent can attest wholeheartedly, children grow often and unpredictably.

Government Action Against Rising Costs

It’s been over half a decade since The Children’s Society published their Wrong Blazer report, and while the government has responded, it is debated whether such moves are enough in current financial climates. 

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 has introduced more limits on branded uniform items. In short, it means pupils should not have any more than three branded items of school uniform per year^[4], and will be put into law from September this year onward. This, alongside other measures about free school meals and initiatives such as breakfast clubs, are supposed to save parents up to £1,000. Parents who cannot afford a school uniform or PE kit have been advised to speak to their child’s headteacher to access available support. 

While this legislation will not mean the end of clothing poverty as a issue in its entirety, it is one step which will likely help parents have one less worry on their minds at night, especially if they are already in a difficult place financially.

This should be a beginning step of government action designed to support those experiencing clothing poverty. This will hopefully open doors to allow for healthy discussions about how current uniform policies create additional hurdles for those already experiencing financial insecurity. 

If you are having difficulty accessing adequate clothing, Clothing Collective may be able to help. Here is more information about what we do, and how we may be able to help you.

References

1. The Children’s Society (2020).The Wrong Blazer

2. The Children’s Society (2020).The Wrong Blazer

3. Child Action Poverty Group (2021). School Uniforms Guide,

4. UK Parliament (2026). Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026.