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Parents pay millions more than needed for school uniforms, says watchdog Parents pay millions more than needed for school uniforms, says watchdog
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Parents could be spending millions of pounds more than they need to on school uniforms because of exclusive deals between schools and suppliers, the government’s competition watchdog has warned.Parents could be spending millions of pounds more than they need to on school uniforms because of exclusive deals between schools and suppliers, the government’s competition watchdog has warned.
Headteachers and school governing bodies were told by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Thursday that they must let parents “shop around” for affordable uniforms for their children, using supermarkets if they wish rather than be forced to buy more expensive items in exclusive arrangements with suppliers.Headteachers and school governing bodies were told by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Thursday that they must let parents “shop around” for affordable uniforms for their children, using supermarkets if they wish rather than be forced to buy more expensive items in exclusive arrangements with suppliers.
In a highly unusual move, the CMA has written an open letter to all headteachers, governing bodies and suppliers in England warning that they must let parents buy uniforms at the best possible prices.In a highly unusual move, the CMA has written an open letter to all headteachers, governing bodies and suppliers in England warning that they must let parents buy uniforms at the best possible prices.
The sale of school uniforms has come under fresh scrutiny after the CMA said it was bombarded with complaints from parents concerned about prices and quality after buying uniforms for the start of the school year in September. It was shocked to find that some parents in England had been forced to pay up to £10 extra per item of uniform where schools had appointed exclusive suppliers.The sale of school uniforms has come under fresh scrutiny after the CMA said it was bombarded with complaints from parents concerned about prices and quality after buying uniforms for the start of the school year in September. It was shocked to find that some parents in England had been forced to pay up to £10 extra per item of uniform where schools had appointed exclusive suppliers.
Related: Hidden costs of state schools causing hardship for millions, says reportRelated: Hidden costs of state schools causing hardship for millions, says report
The CMA has warned that such arrangements “may not be offering parents value for money” and urged suppliers and retailers with such agreements in place with schools to check they are not in breach of competition law.The CMA has warned that such arrangements “may not be offering parents value for money” and urged suppliers and retailers with such agreements in place with schools to check they are not in breach of competition law.
A CMA spokesman said: “This letter is primarily addressed to state schools, including academies and free schools. But we do also encourage fee-paying schools to review their arrangements.”
It is advising school governing bodies to call for a review of uniform arrangements to ensure there is competition between suppliers and retailers, and is urging headteachers to listen to parents, take note of Department for Education (DfE) guidance and prioritise value for money when choosing uniform policy.It is advising school governing bodies to call for a review of uniform arrangements to ensure there is competition between suppliers and retailers, and is urging headteachers to listen to parents, take note of Department for Education (DfE) guidance and prioritise value for money when choosing uniform policy.
Other suppliers and retailers who are struggling to sell school uniforms because of exclusive supply arrangements are being urged to complain to the CMA.Other suppliers and retailers who are struggling to sell school uniforms because of exclusive supply arrangements are being urged to complain to the CMA.
Supermarkets now engage in an annual supermarket school uniform price war, which was kicked off this year by the German discount chain Aldi, which offered an entire school uniform for just £4.
Suppliers could be fined if the CMA finds evidence of anti-competitive behaviour. Its director of enforcement, Ann Pope, said: “Buying school uniforms can be very expensive and particularly hits low-income families and those with a number of children, so it is important parents and carers are able to shop around.Suppliers could be fined if the CMA finds evidence of anti-competitive behaviour. Its director of enforcement, Ann Pope, said: “Buying school uniforms can be very expensive and particularly hits low-income families and those with a number of children, so it is important parents and carers are able to shop around.
“We urge everyone involved to ensure that they are providing a good service to parents and carers and complying with DfE guidance. We will continue monitoring the sector and will consider taking enforcement action, if it is necessary.”“We urge everyone involved to ensure that they are providing a good service to parents and carers and complying with DfE guidance. We will continue monitoring the sector and will consider taking enforcement action, if it is necessary.”
Suppliers could be fined if the CMA finds evidence of anti-competitive behaviour, in breach of the Competition Act 1998.Suppliers could be fined if the CMA finds evidence of anti-competitive behaviour, in breach of the Competition Act 1998.
The move is backed by charity the Children’s Society, which earlier this year discovered families with school-age children spend an average of £316 a year on school clothing for a child at a state secondary and £251 for one at a state primary. The poll of 1,000 parents found that about £2.1bn is spent each year on school clothes in the UK – £1.3bn more than the amount mothers and fathers think would be reasonable.The move is backed by charity the Children’s Society, which earlier this year discovered families with school-age children spend an average of £316 a year on school clothing for a child at a state secondary and £251 for one at a state primary. The poll of 1,000 parents found that about £2.1bn is spent each year on school clothes in the UK – £1.3bn more than the amount mothers and fathers think would be reasonable.
Sam Royston, director of policy at the Children’s Society, said: “School uniform costs can be a millstone around the necks of poorer parents, contributing to a cycle of debt and damaging the opportunities and wellbeing of lower-income pupils. One reason for the high costs are policies that force parents to buy clothing from specialist shops, and prevent them from buying cheaper items from supermarkets. We hope the CMA’s letter will prompt all schools to take a fresh look at their policies and make sure every parent is given the chance to shop around for the best deal.” The rise of academies and free schools, which often require parents to buy expensive, branded garments from one agreed supplier, have also increased the financial burden for many parents.
Sam Royston, director of policy at the Children’s Society, said: “School uniform costs can be a millstone around the necks of poorer parents, contributing to a cycle of debt and damaging the opportunities and wellbeing of lower-income pupils.
“One reason for the high costs are policies that force parents to buy clothing from specialist shops, and prevent them from buying cheaper items from supermarkets. We hope the CMA’s letter will prompt all schools to take a fresh look at their policies and make sure every parent is given the chance to shop around for the best deal.”
A survey by the now defunct Office of Fair Trading in 2012 found 74% of state schools placed restrictions on where uniforms can be bought, leading to parents paying £5 to £10 more for individual items. The OFT found each school was receiving an average of £676 a year from the tie-ups.A survey by the now defunct Office of Fair Trading in 2012 found 74% of state schools placed restrictions on where uniforms can be bought, leading to parents paying £5 to £10 more for individual items. The OFT found each school was receiving an average of £676 a year from the tie-ups.