Over the years, the Schoolwear Association has helped families meet the costs of school uniform. Now it is calling on the Government to make school uniform tax exempt to drive down costs further and support families during the cost of living crisis. Matthew Easter, the Association’s chair, discusses the current state of play.

 

School uniforms sit at the heart of schools and our community right across the country. They act as a social leveller and help to reduce bullying. They promote pride and belonging among pupils and the wider community. And, they ultimately boost children’s academic performance. However, as the cost of living crisis starts to bite, we recognise our responsibility as an industry to support families and help drive down costs where possible and ensure we can continue to provide quality products.

As an organisation that represents small, family-run businesses, the Schoolwear Association is all too aware of the financial pressures facing families, particularly as we approach the winter months. In such challenging times, the industry has come together to help drive down costs and has launched a campaign to call on the Government to make school uniform VAT exempt.

How the industry is supporting families

Our members have long supported families to meet the cost of uniform. Over the last year, the industry has worked closely with schools to bring down the combined average basket cost of compulsory secondary school uniform and sportswear, from £101.19 per pupil in 2020 to £93 in 2021 − a fall of over 8%.

Supporting schools in making decisions about their uniform needs is an essential part of reducing costs for families. To ensure schools were provided with consistent and proper support throughout the uniform provision process, the Association published a number of supporting documents. It also worked with the Department of Education (DfE) on its recently published guidance on the ‘Cost of school uniforms.’

This guidance seeks to ensure schools have a balanced and proportionate approach where school uniform is concerned and parents get value for money, without creating unreasonable burdens on schools or uniform suppliers.

As part of our Code of Practice, our members have also launched multiple initiatives that help reduce the cost of uniform and relieve the financial pressures. These vary locally but include second-hand uniform sales and swap shops, split payment plans and voucher schemes.

As an Association we have also recently set out a Charter for School Uniform Practices. This outlines our 10 key commitments to families, schools and the environment. The Charter sets out how we as an industry are working to drive up standards and are embracing a set of core values to make sure that everyone gets a fair deal on school uniforms.

What more can be done

As an industry, there is a lot we have done to support families, schools and our environment. However, to further support families during the cost of living crisis, we believe that the Government must also take action by abolishing VAT on all school-specific uniform items – the so-called ‘school uniform tax’ – to save them millions of pounds a year.

If VAT was removed on school-specific uniform items, each family would make significant savings in clothing their child during their school careers, at what is a relatively limited cost to the Treasury (an estimated £9 million.)

Ensuring the tax system treats all children with parity

Currently, the VAT is charged on uniform items for children aged 14 years and older. Or, children who are taller or larger than the average. Research by the Association has found that the current measurement charts that determine the size of garments that will be charged VAT have not been updated since early 2003. This is despite evidence showing children are now larger than they were 20 years ago.

It is clear the current VAT system is unfairly costing families, and at a time of financial hardship. The timing is right for the Government to make adjustments and support the industry in making uniform more affordable.

In support of our campaign, we have launched a petition calling on the Government to scrap VAT on school uniform. We have set out further information explaining why this is necessary in a more detailed policy report. Ultimately, school uniform is still an integral and valued part of school life. We have a responsibility to ensure we promote best practice to uphold industry standards and continue to provide good quality products for schools and families in the most affordable way.

For further information on the Schoolwear Association, including membership, please click here.