𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Reform UK has vowed to reverse one of the government’s key education policies, telling the Express that the changes are pushing up the cost of living for hard-working parents. The party has announced it would scrap Bridget Phillipson’s new school uniform cap, which limits the number of branded pieces of kit a pupil must be required to have.

Ms Phillipson plans to limit the number of branded uniforms and PE kits to just three items, which she insists will help hard-up parents with the cost of living. But critics of the planned education policy have warned the Government that it could lead to a worsening of children’s mental health and bullying. They also argue that the total cost of kitting a pupil out for school will increase, as parents feel forced to buy expensive, trendy designer clothing or bags to help their child fit in with peers amid peer pressure.

Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin has now told the Express that her party would ditch the limits if they win the next General Election, calling on the Government to focus on the real needs of hard-pressed families.

Ms Pochin said: “Britain’s economy is broken yet Labour is putting common sense to one side and wasting time trying to micromanage school uniform policies. Interference schools do not welcome.

“The school uniform cap is another poorly thought-through state intervention, which has been sold as support for struggling families, but is actually likely to do the opposite by pushing costs up for working parents already struggling with the cost of living.

“This Government would do better to focus on what actually matters to the British people and fix the economy, restore public services and support hard-working families.”

The intervention from the party leading in the last 200 opinion polls came as a new survey of retailers found that 7 in 10 oppose the Government’s uniform cap, and warned that it will impact on inequality in the classroom and on the sports field.

The Schoolwear Association’s survey also found that 53% of retailers say schools are finding it difficult to adapt their existing school uniform policies in practice, and that 36% say their schools do not understand the Department for Education’s guidance.

Matthew Easter, Chair of the Schoolwear Association, said: “Specialist schoolwear retailers are on the frontline of this policy change, so these findings should be a real wake-up call for the Government.

“Despite the new guidance, schools are genuinely confused about how to implement the policy. We also know that the Department has made no assessment of how the cap would impact social cohesion in schools, student performance or behaviour in the classroom, so it’s no surprise that schools are concerned about the very real impacts it could have on children.

“The Government still has an opportunity to make their uniform policy work for families, children and schools alike, by increasing the cap for secondary schools to a more reasonable level, and clarifying key aspects of the guidance which schools are confused and concerned about.”

Mr Easter also claimed to be aware of several schools in the West Midlands and North West who are dropping certain sports from their curriculum altogether because the new Government rules do not allow them to mandate the specific kit.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “School uniform matters, but it shouldn’t break the bank. No family should have to choose between putting food on the table and buying a new blazer.

“Parents have told us they want fewer costly branded items – and that’s exactly what we’re delivering through our plan to limit branded items from September 2026, saving some parents up to £50 per child. Schools can help ease the pressure on families right now by reducing the number of branded items they require.

“We are keeping more money in the pockets of hardworking families, so the back-to-school shop doesn’t push parents into debt and children can focus on their education, not their outfit.”