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| Call for cheaper school uniforms | Call for cheaper school uniforms |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Parents are being urged not to let schools hold them to ransom over the cost of school uniforms. | Parents are being urged not to let schools hold them to ransom over the cost of school uniforms. |
| The Local Government Association (LGA) says research shows nearly a fifth of parents can only get uniforms from one supplier, or via the school itself. | The Local Government Association (LGA) says research shows nearly a fifth of parents can only get uniforms from one supplier, or via the school itself. |
| The LGA, which represents councils in England, says this means some parents face much higher prices than others able to buy uniforms in supermarkets. | |
| Schools should ensure they use at least two suppliers, says the organisation. | Schools should ensure they use at least two suppliers, says the organisation. |
| Other measures in the association's three-point plan to help parents include availability of school symbols and logos that can be sewed on to clothing, and giving parents the chance to buy items second-hand. | Other measures in the association's three-point plan to help parents include availability of school symbols and logos that can be sewed on to clothing, and giving parents the chance to buy items second-hand. |
| The LGA fears parents forced to go to a single supplier for uniforms that are distinctive to a particular school are missing out on the increasing choice of low-cost clothing available at stores such as Asda, Tesco and M&S. | The LGA fears parents forced to go to a single supplier for uniforms that are distinctive to a particular school are missing out on the increasing choice of low-cost clothing available at stores such as Asda, Tesco and M&S. |
| Siobhan Freegard, founder of the Netmums website, said: "If it's a private school then you make your choice and accept the consequences. | Siobhan Freegard, founder of the Netmums website, said: "If it's a private school then you make your choice and accept the consequences. |
| 'Really unfair' | 'Really unfair' |
| "But if it's a state school and schools are still insisting that parents go to a specialist uniform shop where the prices are higher than on the High Street then there's something really, really unfair about that." | "But if it's a state school and schools are still insisting that parents go to a specialist uniform shop where the prices are higher than on the High Street then there's something really, really unfair about that." |
| School governors - who have a statutory duty not to disadvantage children - can face action under competition law if they fail to ensure choice is available. | School governors - who have a statutory duty not to disadvantage children - can face action under competition law if they fail to ensure choice is available. |
| In February, Children's Secretary Ed Balls said he was "very concerned" that some schools were not following existing guidance. | In February, Children's Secretary Ed Balls said he was "very concerned" that some schools were not following existing guidance. |
| He spoke out after a report revealed parents spent an average of £683 a year funding school equipment for primary school children and £1,195 on secondary pupils. | He spoke out after a report revealed parents spent an average of £683 a year funding school equipment for primary school children and £1,195 on secondary pupils. |
| This included spending on uniforms, PE kit, trips, lunch, travel, stationery, extra classes and other voluntary contributions. | This included spending on uniforms, PE kit, trips, lunch, travel, stationery, extra classes and other voluntary contributions. |
| Councils can give discretionary grants towards the cost of uniforms but warn such funding could become scarcer as the recession squeezes council funds. | Councils can give discretionary grants towards the cost of uniforms but warn such funding could become scarcer as the recession squeezes council funds. |
| Earlier this week, a study from Save the Children and Family Action found that more than half of Scottish parents on low incomes could not afford to pay for their children's uniforms and equipment. | Earlier this week, a study from Save the Children and Family Action found that more than half of Scottish parents on low incomes could not afford to pay for their children's uniforms and equipment. |
| It suggested 56% of families with incomes under £15,000 would not be able to buy everything their children needed, with 24% expected to go into debt to pay for essential items. | It suggested 56% of families with incomes under £15,000 would not be able to buy everything their children needed, with 24% expected to go into debt to pay for essential items. |