The Department for Education has confirmed that from September 2026, schools in England will be required to limit branded uniform items to a maximum of three pieces. The new legislation, part of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act, aims to reduce the financial burden on families by restricting expensive branded items such as jumpers, blazers, trousers, and skirts. Ties are not included in the limit.
Government's Commitment to Affordability
The Labour Party government emphasised that the affordability of school uniforms "should never be a barrier to the schools for which parents apply." Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated: "This landmark legislation fixes the foundations in our schools, puts money back into parents’ pockets, and provides critical new protections for our most vulnerable children." She added that the laws are "another major milestone in our mission to make sure every child – wherever they grow up and go to school – has the opportunity to succeed."
Support from Parent and Children's Advocates
Frank Young, Chief Executive of Parentkind, welcomed the move: "Millions of parents are struggling with added school costs like expensive school uniform. Rising costs are hitting everyone hard, but parents have school costs they have no option but to pay." He noted that the Act will "make a difference to these parents by tackling the cost of living and putting limits on expensive uniform items. This will help struggling parents, including many on middle incomes too." Young also highlighted that "free breakfast clubs and cheaper uniforms will help parents and tackle some of the extra costs that make life more difficult for parents. Getting more breakfast clubs going helps parents to hold down a job and get kids to school."
Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza described the Act as "a significant step towards a more joined up, child-centred approach to children’s social care, education and safety." She noted that she has "long called for many of the measures included in the legislation like a single unique identifier for children and stronger protections to keep siblings together in care." De Souza stressed that the Act "will strengthen safeguarding protections for children, particularly those who, as tragically happened to Sara Sharif, face being removed from school despite serious safeguarding concerns." She urged the government to be "ambitious in their implementation of the Act so these measures have a tangible impact on children’s lives as soon as possible."
Impact on Schools and Families
The new rule applies to all state-funded schools in England and is designed to prevent schools from requiring multiple expensive branded items, which can total hundreds of pounds per child. By limiting branded items to three, parents will have more flexibility to purchase cheaper alternatives from supermarkets or other retailers. The legislation is part of broader efforts to reduce the cost of living for families, including free breakfast clubs and other measures.
