Cutting school uniform costs will provide vital support for families
The Scottish Greens have hailed new school uniform and clothing guidance as an important step in tackling child poverty and inequality. The guidance, intended for use by councils and schools, was co-developed by the Scottish Greens during their time in Government and includes a series of recommendations put forward by Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer.
Key instructions for schools and councils include:
- Design uniform and clothing policies on the basis that the School Clothing Grant would cover the cost of all items needed for the school year, plus a reasonable number of spares or replacements
- Allow generic items which can be bought at low cost from a range of retailers
- Do not use branded items only available from specialist retailers at highest cost e.g. blazers with particular braiding designs
- No separate uniform rules for each gender
- Flexibility to account for religious clothing, jewellery and other elements of a student’s faith
- Promote, and support access to pre-loved uniforms and clothing and consider the overall environmental impact of uniform policies
Scottish Greens education spokesperson, Ross Greer MSP said: “This important guidance will reduce the cost of uniforms and make schools more inclusive to all pupils.
"I’m proud that the Scottish Greens were able to see it delivered and to include a number of our key recommendations, particularly that it must be possible under every school’s policy to buy a full set of uniforms and enough spares to last a year with the amount of money provided by the School Clothing Grant.
“Far too many schools still have totally unnecessary rules about their uniforms, including exclusive deals with specific suppliers. This results in high costs for items like blazers. In other cases shared with us, some schools pushed girls to wear skirts which were more expensive than the trousers. In 2024 we really need to get past the archaic notion of a ‘boys uniform’ and ‘girls uniform’. Each pupil should be able to choose whatever items they want within a uniform policy, not have their choices narrowed by their gender.
“It would be wrong and frankly wasteful to continue increasing the School Clothing Grant when that money just goes straight to retailers. That is why the Greens insisted on rules to cap costs instead.
“This is one of many actions needed to end child poverty and help families who are struggling with the cost of living. Taken alongside our delivery of free bus travel for young people and cancelling all school meal debt, the guidance shows the positive impact of having Scottish Greens in the room when decisions are made.”
Guidance to cap the cost of school uniforms was first included in the Scottish Greens’ 2021 manifesto and then in the Bute House Agreement, the cooperation deal struck between the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Government.