A CHESHIRE MP has offered advice to parents as his new law to promote affordability of school uniforms takes effect this September.

Mike Amesbury’s private member’s bill - now an Act of Parliament - aims to slash the cost of school uniforms across England in response to concerns from hard-pressed families.

The Labour MP for Weaver Vale says the law is ‘more important than ever’ given the cost-of-living crisis and people should check their child’s school has implemented the changes.

He said: “Parents and carers are advised to check their school has updated its guidance in line with the new law on affordable school uniforms.

“Make sure branded items are kept to a minimum and that tendering is being introduced where there is a single supplier relationship, to open up competition and bring down the price.

“School ought to be about a child’s right to an education not their financial circumstances.”

Mr Amesbury’s law followed a campaign by The Children’s Society and the National Education Union supported by parents and carers.

He added: “Schools should be directing people to local supermarkets for low-cost school uniform items as well as setting up sustainable swap shops.

“If a school is not playing ball, you can complain to the headteacher, principal or chair of governors.

“And now you have the strength of the law, you can go all the way up to the Secretary of State for Education if you feel your concerns are being ignored.”

Mr Amesbury believes passionately in the opportunity for every child to reach their full potential.  

He explained: “We should never have been in a situation where a child was sometimes temporarily excluded because their family couldn’t afford to replace an expensive item they had outgrown.

“If this Act can change that landscape, then I, together with everyone who has brought it about, can be mightily proud.”

In 2020 The Children’s Society surveyed 1,000 parents about school uniform costs.

Parents with children in state-maintained schools told the charity they spent £337 per year on school uniform costs for each secondary school child and £315 per year for each primary school child.

More than one in eight parents reported having to cut back on other essentials, such as food and clothing to cover the cost of uniforms.