Parents and carers in England will no longer be required to buy more than three branded items of school uniform from September 2026, under a new law designed to reduce the financial burden of sending children to school.
Secondary and middle schools will be permitted to request a fourth branded item, but only if that item is a tie. The measure is intended to limit the reliance schools place on specific suppliers or exclusive branded ranges, which have long been criticised for adding significantly to the cost of school uniforms.
The government has said it hopes the change will "ensure the cost of school uniforms is reasonable and provides the best value for money" for families. Ministers have pointed to uniform costs as one of the more visible and avoidable pressures faced by households with school-age children, particularly where schools insist on items that can only be bought from a single designated retailer.
Uniform is not the only expense parents face. Schools frequently require additional items for physical education, such as branded sportswear, or specialist equipment for subjects including art, design and technology, food studies and music. Costs can vary considerably depending on the age of the child, with older students often facing additional charges for coursework materials, technology requirements or subject-specific kit as they move through secondary school.
The new legislation follows years of concern from campaigners and consumer groups about the cumulative cost of equipping children for school, with families sometimes required to buy multiple branded items — including blazers, jumpers, PE kits and outdoor coats — bearing a school crest or logo that can only be purchased from one supplier at a premium price.
By restricting the number of compulsory branded items, the government aims to give parents more flexibility to buy cheaper, unbranded alternatives for jumpers, trousers, skirts and other basic uniform items from high street retailers or supermarkets, while still allowing schools to maintain some distinctive branded elements such as a badge or tie.
The change applies specifically to branded items — those bearing a school's logo or design that can only be bought from particular suppliers — rather than the wider uniform requirement as a whole. Schools will still be able to set general uniform policies, such as specifying colours or styles, without those elements being classed as "branded" under the new rules.
Cost of living pressures have kept the issue of school-related expenses under scrutiny in recent years, with parents and carers reporting a wide range of costs beyond uniform, including stationery, textbooks, school trips and, in some cases, specific equipment requested for extracurricular activities or exam subjects.
The Guardian has invited parents and carers across the UK to share their own experiences of the costs associated with sending children to school, including uniform, kit and subject-specific items, ahead of the change taking effect. The publication has said it is particularly interested in hearing from families with children of different ages, given that the expenses involved can differ substantially between primary and secondary education.
Those wishing to contribute have been asked to get in touch directly, with guidance provided on how to do so securely, including via messaging services for those who wish to remain anonymous.
The uniform law is due to come into force in September 2026, giving schools and suppliers more than a year to adjust their policies and stock ahead of the requirement taking effect.
