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Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 5 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 7 March 2025. It was answered by Catherine McKinnell (Labour) on Thursday, 13 March 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.


Schools: Uniforms

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made a comparative assessment of the cost of (a) girls' and (b) boys' school uniforms.

Answer

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The department published its latest research on the cost of school uniforms in September 2024, which surveyed parents and carers of children aged 4 to 16 attending state-funded schools in England. It is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms-survey-2023.

The research found that for secondary pupils, the average total costs of uniforms (including both daywear and PE kit) were broadly similar for boys and girls, with the average expenditure for girls being £4.80 greater. For primary pupils, the average total costs for both daywear and PE were £23.56 greater for girls. In general, daywear for girls is more expensive, whilst for boys, PE kit incurs a greater cost.

Too many families still tell us that the cost of school uniforms remain a financial burden. That is why the department is legislating to limit the number of expensive branded items of uniform and PE kit that schools can require.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
35660
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Costs Gender Schools Uniforms
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk