School Uniform Policies Debate

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Department: Department for Education

School Uniform Policies

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Excerpts
Monday 12th June 2023

(11 months, 1 week ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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In terms of complying with the guidance, which is obviously statutory, any concerns that a parent might have about a school’s uniform policy need to be raised with the school in the first instance through its complaints process. If the parent is then unhappy with the outcome of their complaint, they can, of course, raise it with the department.

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Portrait Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)
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My Lords, can the Minister indicate what monitoring the Government undertake with schools in relation to the affordability of school uniforms? Many families face a difficult cost of living crisis.

Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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I absolutely understand that families face a cost of living crisis, which is why the Government provided £94 billion of support for households with those higher costs across 2022-23 and 2023-24. On how we ensure compliance, I can only repeat what I said to the noble Baroness.