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School uniform 'tax on parents' School uniform 'tax on parents'
(20 minutes later)
Parents in the UK are spending an extra £45m a year because of restrictions on school uniform suppliers, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has found.Parents in the UK are spending an extra £45m a year because of restrictions on school uniform suppliers, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has found.
The investigation found 84% of schools require that at least one item is bought from specified retailers.The investigation found 84% of schools require that at least one item is bought from specified retailers.
The OFT said it was a tax on parents, mostly benefiting the chosen retailers, and called on school governors to scrap exclusive agreements.The OFT said it was a tax on parents, mostly benefiting the chosen retailers, and called on school governors to scrap exclusive agreements.
More than 2,000 schools responded to a survey about their uniforms policy.More than 2,000 schools responded to a survey about their uniforms policy.
The review was prompted by complaints over high prices and poor quality, and claims from traders that the market was closed to them.The review was prompted by complaints over high prices and poor quality, and claims from traders that the market was closed to them.
Profit for schoolsProfit for schools
The uniforms market is thought to be worth about £450m a year, with most state pupils having to wear them.The uniforms market is thought to be worth about £450m a year, with most state pupils having to wear them.
Governors usually set dress codes, while schools can appoint a manufacturer to produce clothes which are sold directly to parents.Governors usually set dress codes, while schools can appoint a manufacturer to produce clothes which are sold directly to parents.
They can also select which outside retailers to use.They can also select which outside retailers to use.
The review found that compulsory clothes bought from specified retailers cost parents about 23% more than if they were able to shop around in other uniform outlets and 150% more if they shopped in supermarkets.The review found that compulsory clothes bought from specified retailers cost parents about 23% more than if they were able to shop around in other uniform outlets and 150% more if they shopped in supermarkets.
Some schools claimed that the restrictions made shopping more convenient for parents and meant a better quality of uniform.Some schools claimed that the restrictions made shopping more convenient for parents and meant a better quality of uniform.
This restriction on competition acts as a tax on parents, which mostly goes to the chosen retailers John Fingleton Chief Executive, OFTThis restriction on competition acts as a tax on parents, which mostly goes to the chosen retailers John Fingleton Chief Executive, OFT
A third of schools operating exclusive contracts with retailers said they did benefit financially, the survey showed.A third of schools operating exclusive contracts with retailers said they did benefit financially, the survey showed.
The OFT said parents buying secondary school uniforms were short-changed by £32m every year, while primary school uniforms were costing £13m more as a result of restrictions.The OFT said parents buying secondary school uniforms were short-changed by £32m every year, while primary school uniforms were costing £13m more as a result of restrictions.
It calculated that if schools let parents buy from supermarkets, secondary pupils' uniforms would cost £27 less a year and primary pupils £9.It calculated that if schools let parents buy from supermarkets, secondary pupils' uniforms would cost £27 less a year and primary pupils £9.
'Over the odds''Over the odds'
A spokeswoman for Asda said a skirt, shirt and blazer from the supermarket chain cost £12.90 - about half the price of one blazer from a school outlet.A spokeswoman for Asda said a skirt, shirt and blazer from the supermarket chain cost £12.90 - about half the price of one blazer from a school outlet.
"There are many people on a tight income, regardless of school, who want to be able to clothe their children in quality school uniforms but they are being forced to pay over the odds," she said."There are many people on a tight income, regardless of school, who want to be able to clothe their children in quality school uniforms but they are being forced to pay over the odds," she said.
John Fingleton, chief executive of the OFT, said: "This study has shown that parents have to pay higher prices for school uniforms where exclusive agreements exist.John Fingleton, chief executive of the OFT, said: "This study has shown that parents have to pay higher prices for school uniforms where exclusive agreements exist.
School uniforms are good for discipline and school ethos, giving pupils a real sense of identity with their school DfES spokesmanSchool uniforms are good for discipline and school ethos, giving pupils a real sense of identity with their school DfES spokesman
"This restriction on competition acts as a tax on parents, which mostly goes to the chosen retailers."This restriction on competition acts as a tax on parents, which mostly goes to the chosen retailers.
"We call on school governors to eliminate these exclusive agreements.""We call on school governors to eliminate these exclusive agreements."
The findings will be passed to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), which is responsible for guiding state schools on uniform policies.The findings will be passed to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), which is responsible for guiding state schools on uniform policies.
A DfES spokesman said schools were advised to make sure uniforms affordable. A DfES spokesman said schools were advised to make sure uniforms were affordable.
He said: "School uniforms are good for discipline and school ethos, giving pupils a real sense of identity with their school.He said: "School uniforms are good for discipline and school ethos, giving pupils a real sense of identity with their school.
"Heads who turn round failing schools tell us that uniforms play an important part in their work to raise standards.""Heads who turn round failing schools tell us that uniforms play an important part in their work to raise standards."