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Education (Guidance About Costs of School Uniforms) Bill - Sitting 1
16 September 2020
Type
Public Bill Committee
At a Glance
Issue Summary
Caroline Nokes discusses Clause 1 of the Education (Guidance About Costs of School Uniforms) Bill, aiming to ensure statutory guidance on school uniform costs. The statement addresses concerns about the cost and accessibility of school uniforms, focusing on reducing excessive branding and promoting competition among suppliers. The statement discusses the Education (Guidance About Costs of School Uniforms) Bill, addressing the issue of expensive and inconsistent school uniforms. The statement discusses a Bill aimed at imposing a statutory duty on the Secretary of State to issue guidance on school uniform costs in England, aiming to alleviate financial strain on families. The statement discusses the Education (Guidance About Costs of School Uniforms) Bill and its aim to ensure school uniforms are affordable for families. The Minister discusses the need for competitive and transparent tendering in school uniform procurement to ensure best value for parents.
Action Requested
Nokes requests that if the Bill is passed quickly, the Government aims to have the guidance in place for the next school year and publishes a draft form of the guidance as soon as possible.
Key Facts
- The Bill has not been amended.
- No amendments were tabled prior to discussion.
- The Bill's purpose is to ensure statutory guidance on the cost of uniforms.
- Nokes seeks an assurance that new guidance will be in place for the next school year if the Bill passes quickly.
- Buccaneer, a school uniform manufacturer in the MP's constituency, faces limited market access due to exclusive contracts.
- Parents are worried about affording branded items like pullovers and polos with house colours embroidered on them.
- The guidance encourages schools to keep compulsory branded items to a minimum but current practices limit competition among manufacturers.
- Schools should avoid single-supplier arrangements unless transparent tendering competitions are run regularly.
- The speaker's youngest child's year 7 uniform cost £468.50.
- Additional purchases due to growth cost another £200.
- A primary school in the constituency insists on a single supplier in Sloane Square for uniforms.
- The Education (Guidance About Costs of School Uniforms) Bill aims to impose statutory duties on the Secretary of State for issuing guidance.
- Research shows that parents spend an average of £337 annually on secondary school uniforms and up to £315 per year for primary school uniforms.
- 13% of families reported cutting back on food due to uniform costs, with 23% of low-income families experiencing this issue.
- Since 2013, the government has published guidance encouraging schools to have uniforms.
- The Bill aims to place a duty on the Secretary of State to issue statutory guidance on cost aspects of school uniform policies.
- Current non-statutory guidance emphasizes that school uniforms should be easily available and avoid exclusive single-supplier contracts unless regular tendering competitions are run.
- The current non-statutory guidance recommends avoiding exclusive single-supplier contracts unless a regular competitive tendering process is run to secure best value for parents.
- Parents can raise concerns with the Department if their issues are not addressed effectively through the school’s complaints procedures.
- Schools offering second-hand uniform shops are encouraged to support affordability and reduce clothes waste.
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