Lord Shafaq Mohammed
DesignationLiberal Democrat Peer
Education is often hailed as the great leveller.
While I believe in this ideal, my lived experience tells me that it will remain just that – an ideal – unless we address the persistent inequalities that shape a child’s journey long before they sit an exam – the first, and easiest, solution is a cheaper uniform.
Growing up in inner-city Sheffield in the 1980s, my family didn’t have much. My father worked in the local steel industry in Sheffield until mass de-industrialisation under Margaret Thatcher saw him lose his job, stripping us of our financial security.
We often struggled to put food on the table or keep warm in winter. I was one of the many children who benefited from free school meals and a clothing grant provided by Sheffield City Council, led by David Blunkett, now Lord Blunkett.
Looking back, those provisions were not just practical, they were protective. They shielded me from stigma, allowed me to participate fully in school life and helped shape the values I carry with me today.
The Government’s plan to extend free school meals to families on Universal Credit next year is a welcome step, offering much-needed relief to many struggling households.
However, we can and must go further.
I feel passionately that every child should have an equal opportunity to succeed, and that their education should not be compromised simply because their family cannot afford a uniform. With enough political will, it is a problem that can absolutely be tackled.
That is why, based on my own experience and conversations with families, educators, and welfare advisers, I am proposing two simple but powerful amendments to strengthen the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to lower the costs of school uniforms for ordinary families across the country
Amendment one: Remove VAT from school uniforms for older children
Currently, school uniforms for children aged over 14 or taller than 1.52 metres (five feet) are subject to VAT. This is an outdated and arbitrary rule that disproportionately impacts families with teenagers, particularly boys who experience growth spurts in secondary school.
The logic is baffling. A school blazer in size 36 inches may be VAT-free, but one in size 38 inches, despite being the same garment required by the same school, is taxed at 20 per cent. This adds significant cost at precisely the point when other expenses also rise, including GCSE materials, transport, mobile data for homework, and, in many cases, higher nutritional needs.
Removing VAT from school uniforms for all ages is a clean, fair fix. It simplifies the system, reduces costs for every family with school-age children and reflects the reality that education doesn’t stop at 14.
After all, we do not tax textbooks, so why should we tax the clothes required to attend school?
Amendment two: Introduce a statutory cap on school uniform costs
In recent years, there has been a troubling rise in expensive school-branded uniform items, including ties, logoed jumpers, custom trousers, and even branded socks.
This trend has driven up the cost of school uniforms far beyond what many families can reasonably afford. While guidance exists thanks to the efforts of campaigners and the Department for Education, it remains just that, guidance. Some schools follow it. Others don’t.
I propose introducing a statutory cash limit on the total cost of a compulsory school uniform, varying slightly by education phase.
This would not only protect families, but it would also encourage schools to consider the affordability of their policies. Schools would remain free to set their uniform style, but they would need to do so within a reasonable financial ceiling.
If Parliament adopts my proposed amendments, we could build on this success by reintroducing a modern version of the school clothing support that I benefited from in Sheffield – providing additional targeted support so that children living in households receiving Universal Credit and Free School Meals can obtain a full uniform without placing pressure on household budgets. This could take the form of a uniform voucher, digital credits, or grants issued through local authorities.
The Cost of Not Acting
We often question whether a policy delivers “value for money”, but what about the cost of inaction?
When children arrive at school feeling excluded or ashamed, they participate less. They fall behind. Their mental health suffers. Over time, that translates into lower educational attainment, higher dropout rates, and greater demand on public services.
According to the Child Poverty Action Group, families spend an average of £422 per year per secondary school child on uniforms, more than double what many low-income families can reasonably afford.
These are not luxuries. They are the price of admission to a school system that claims to offer equal opportunity. The knock-on effects are visible across the system.
We often hear about heads and teachers who dip into their own pockets to buy spare items for pupils, or parents who skip meals to buy the right trousers or shoes.
This shouldn’t be happening in the sixth-richest country on Earth. As a society, we should believe in fairness and equal opportunity. Ensuring every child has access to basic necessities, like school uniforms, is a reflection of these values.
A Sheffield Story
Back in the 1980s, Sheffield City Council offered clothing grants to families who qualified for free school meals.
I remember the pride of walking into school on the first day of term with a new coat that fit properly, shoes that were not falling apart, and school clothing that matched the other boys’.
I wasn’t thinking about politics. I was just thinking about fitting in – and being ready to learn. These small things matter.
They change how a child sees themselves, how they engage with school, and how they’re treated by others. If we truly want to level up opportunity, we must start with the basics. That means food, clothing, and inclusion.
A Policy Rooted in Dignity and Practicality
The Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill shouldn’t be about handouts, it should be about dignity.
It’s about making sure no child is held back because their family couldn’t afford a specific pair of trousers, or were penalised for their height.
It’s about fairness, simplicity, and common sense. We can do this in a way that is efficient and responsible. Most of the infrastructure already exists through schools, local councils, and existing welfare channels.
What we need now is the political will to make it statutory, consistent, and protected. By passing this Bill with the amendments I propose, we would be taking a significant step toward a fairer education system, one in which support is shaped around the needs of the child, not the rigidity of policy.
Time to Act
In the Palace of Westminster, we debate budgets, foreign policy, and the future of AI. But sometimes, real change comes not from abstract strategy, but from recognising something simple: A child’s school experience should not be defined by their parents’ payslip or postcode.
This is a chance for Parliament to unite around a shared value that all children deserve a fair start. I urge colleagues from all benches, and in both Houses, to support this Bill and my strengthening amendments.
Because sometimes, levelling the playing field doesn’t start with a grand reform or a white paper. Sometimes, it starts with a blazer that fits.
Featured image via Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.
