School Uniform: Parents turning to clothing banks to afford uniform

How much is the average school uniform?

Transcript

00:00New research has reported that families are turning to clothing banks as the average secondary

00:05school uniform cost exceeds, on average, around £92. This figure is thought to include compulsory

00:11items alone, with overall costs being much higher. With summer over, it's back to school,

00:17and with this, it's been found that 70% of schools in England now offer second-hand uniform

00:22for parents to purchase, as it continues to be a financial burden for some families. In

00:27fact, research from The Observer found that parents are routinely paying more than double

00:32the price for branded school uniforms compared with similar items offered by supermarkets

00:37and high street stores. The analysis showed that parents who are required by state schools

00:43to buy clothing featuring official school logos are still paying significantly more

00:48than for unbranded blazers, jumpers, ties and sports kit. In Wales, there are initiatives

00:54which are aimed at easing the financial burden on parents. The School Essentials Grant offers

00:59a grant for low-income families and for children in local authority care of up to £200 per

01:04child.