Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the publication on 19 November 2021 of statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms, what assessment he has made of the ability of the responsible bodies to accurately assess what is affordable in terms of the total cost of school uniform; whether he plans to issue further guidance; and what recourse is available to parents for whom the new uniforms costs are unaffordable.

It is for the governing body of a school (or the academy trust, in the case of academies) to determine their uniform policy. The department has published statutory guidance on the cost of school uniform that requires schools to prioritise cost consideration for parents and to keep school uniforms affordable.

The department has sought to provide a framework in the guidance that sets clear direction for schools on factors which affect affordability within which schools should operate. This should make uniform more affordable whilst also allowing for local decision making.

School leaders know their local communities best and are best placed to take decisions on their uniform policy. These decisions should be informed by the views of pupils and parents. The guidance requires school leaders to engage with parents and pupils on cost issues when developing their uniform policy and a school should be able to show how these views have been considered in their policy.

The guidance does not prevent schools or local authorities from offering support in cases of financial hardship where they choose to do so. The department does not currently intend on publishing additional guidance on the cost of school uniform.