HARD-UP households will able to save hundreds on their children's school uniforms thanks to a new government law.
New statutory guidance, effective from September, means schools will have to make uniforms affordable for all families.
This will see families offered more high street options and households will also be able to buy second-hand uniform.
Schools should make sure the necessary arrangements are in place so second-hand school uniforms are available.
The government has also also urged them to signpost parents to established second hand uniform schemes, if they don't want to set up their own.
Some schools don't have uniforms, which means the new law will not affect you if your child goes to one of these.
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And it's up to individual schools to set their own uniform policy, which should still be fair for all.
The new guidance will apply to all schools, apart from those which are bound to keep a certain type of logo on their uniforms.
If parents think their child's uniform policy should change or uniform should be cheaper, they should talk to their school.
Many schools currently say parents should buy expensive branded items when standard kit would be cheaper.
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The Department for Education said parents could save £50 by buying uniform from any store, rather than a specialist shop.
A uniform costs £101.19 per child in secondary school on average, according to the latest data by the Schoolwear Association.
This means for families with more than one child, the amount spent on uniforms can add up to several hundred pounds.
It is hoped the new law change will mean no family will feel unable to sendtheir child to a school simply due to the cost of uniform.
Secretary of state for education Nadhim Zahawi said: “School uniform provides a sense of identity and community for children and young people, and should be a real source of pride.
"But it must never be a burden for parents or a barrier to pupils accessing education.
“This new binding guidance will help to make uniforms far more affordable for families by driving costs down as we work hard to level up the country."
The school uniform bill was first introduced by Labour MP Mike Amesbury, with the backing of the Children's Society.
It was delayed due to the pandemic, but was given Royal Assent last April, meaning the Queen gave her permission for the bill to pass.
The bill comes as food and fuel costs, and energy bills soar during the cost of living crisis.
Parents in some areas of the UK can apply for a £150 uniform grant to help cover some of the costs.
However, the grants are unavailable in many council areas in England.
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One mum was outraged after spending more than £240 on uniforms last year.
We previously rounded up the best tips to save money on school uniforms, including shopping around and buying long-lasting clothes.
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