- Ahead of the new school year in September, the Schoolwear Association is warning that the Government’s school uniform cap could increase costs, lower financial support for struggling families, and put hundreds of small family-run businesses at risk.
- It comes as the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is set to continue to be debated at Committee Stage in the House of Lords in September.
- The Schoolwear Association is urging the Government to adopt a more realistic cap of 5 branded items plus a tie, in line with the current national average
[London, UK – 28th August 2025] –Ahead of the new school year in September, the Schoolwear Association is issuing a warning that Labour’s school uniform cap could backfire and not deliver promised savings for families.
Under plans set out in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, currently in Committee Stage in the House of Lords, the Government intends to cap the number of branded uniform items to three per pupil, plus a tie for secondary school students.
The Association’s fresh warnings come as the Bill is set to be debated again at Committee Stage in the House of Lords in September. In a recent debate, Peers from across the house expressed concerns about the proposed three-item cap, particularly around its potential to create confusion and unintended consequences for schools, retailers and families alike.
Labour have repeatedly promised that the three-item cap will bring down the cost of school uniform, but specialist schoolwear retailers are cautioning that it may actually increase costs and lower financial support for struggling families.
Their concerns include:
The 3-item cap could make school uniforms more expensive
- Specialist schoolwear retailers could have to raise prices if a cap is implemented. According to a recent survey of over 150 specialist schoolwear retailers, 61.3% think that they will have to increase prices to compensate for lost revenues.
- Parents may be pushed into buying lower-quality items from supermarkets, which will have to be replaced more often, or the latest trendy brands under pressure from their children.
- The Government has repeatedly claimed that the three-item cap will save some parents £50. But the Government’s own data, only 14% of families might benefit from this- and even that figure can be challenged because their figures are based on an inappropriate use of DfE survey data.
The poorest Brits may find it harder to access support for school uniform costs
- Many schoolwear retailers work with schools to offer support to struggling families, including discounts for those most in need, flexible payment plans, and second-hand initiatives.
- But over half (53.5%) say they may have to stop offering discounts and support to families should a cap be introduced.
Schools may stop requiring branded P.E kit, which is likely to increase costs for parents and reduce sports participation
- Almost half of retailers think that if the three-item cap came into force, schools will remove branded P.E kit entirely.
- Specialist school-branded uniform items reduce anxiety and social pressure to wear the latest brand among students, so removing them risks reducing sports participation, particularly among teenage girls.
- It could also increase costs for parents as they face greater pressure to buy mainstream fashion sports brands that are more expensive than plain items from specialist retailers.
- The Schoolwear Association found that the average cost of sports top from a schoolwear retailer was £11.10 compared to one purchased from a premium sports brand such as Nike or Adidas, which cost on average £19.99
Specialist schoolwear retailers could close down, reduce services to parents, or lay off staff
- Schoolwear retailers are almost exclusively small family-run businesses. Like other small businesses across the country, they are already operating at tight margins and are facing rising costs and hikes to National Insurance. The school uniform cap is highly likely to tip some of them over the edge, putting jobs at risk
- Over half (54.2%) think that they will have to lay off staff, and a third think they will have to close down, despite the Government’s commitment to support British high streets
- This will impact the families they serve. Unlike supermarkets, these businesses provide year-round availability and bespoke sizing, which are particularly vital for children with special needs
The Schoolwear Association is urging the Government to increase the uniform cap to five items plus a tie for secondary schools, reflecting the current national average number of branded items a school requires of 5.2.
Matthew Easter, Chair of the Schoolwear Association, said: “We are very aware of the pressure that the cost of living is putting families up and down the country and we agree that costs must be kept as low as possible. This is why specialist schoolwear retailers have worked hard to lower uniform prices in real terms, and why many of them offer support, including discounts for low-income families and second-hand initiatives.
We recognise the Government’s intention behind the three-item cap, but the policy risks backfiring. Rather than easing costs, it could leave parents paying more, as they are pushed towards lower-quality items that wear out faster, or expensive trendy brands. At the same time, it would cut off the vital support which specialist schoolwear retailers provide, many of whom may be forced to close.”
The Department for Education’s current guidance is already working well, and the sector has made significant efforts to keep costs low. This is demonstrated by the fact that school uniform prices fell this year in real terms for the third year in a row. Our data shows that the average cost of specific school uniform, including daywear and sportswear, was £92.45 in 2025, had prices tracked inflation, the average cost would be £130.
Matthew Easter continues: “The current guidance on school uniform has already been successful at reducing costs, with average compulsory uniform costs down 30% since the guidance was introduced. We urge the Government to increase the cap to a more workable five items.”
