The Rising Cost of Uniforms isn’t Simple Maths

19 May 2012

Most people will remember trudging back to school as a child in a uniform two sizes too big, a cost-cutting measure by parents insisting the baggy shirts and turned-up trousers will 'do for next year'.

Now, in post-recession Northumberland, as with the rest of the UK, saving money is more than just back in fashion - in many cases it's downright essential. The county's schools may be back in session but many parents are now worrying about how they'll cover the costs of the new school year.

New uniforms, gym kits, stationery, books and even bags are just a selection of the essentials that every child needs as they return to the classroom.

Uniforms were once seen as a way to save parents money - rather than having to buy expensive branded items to keep up with the ever-changing fashion market, parents could buy cost-effective outfits which helped ensure children didn't stand out in the playground.

But now parents are facing rising uniform costs as more schools opt for overly branded clothing or choosing uniforms which can only be brought from exclusive suppliers. In some extreme cases parents are only able to purchase items from the school itself - sometimes at twice the price of the high street. 

Although most school uniforms for Morpeth and Ashington-based schools remain simple and are available through multiple shops, parents bitten by the recession may still be left struggling to pay for the new uniforms, especially if they have several children of different ages attending different schools.

Initial payments for new shirts, jumpers, skirts, trousers and shoes may have been deferred slightly through the use of credit cards or short-term loans but as the bills start to arrive families may still be unable to cover the costs of the items and interest quickly begins to build.

And what if your child has a sudden growing spurt mid-way through the school year? DAWN Advice and DAWN CAB in Morpeth have backed the Citizens Advice Adding Up campaign. It aims to encourage schools to help families out by ensuring uniforms are kept low-cost by making them available in several shops, offering sew-on badges rather than pre-branded items, launching swap schemes and appointing a Governor to keep a track of parental expenditure.

By seeking advice as soon as possible families concerned about financial problems can help stop debts escalating and prevent payments from stacking up. Some struggling families, depending on their circumstances, may even be entitled to additional benefits to help with the rising cost of living.

Morpeth and Ashington residents concerned about financial issues and welfare benefits can contact the DAWN Advice Team for free and independent advice on 01670 785 500.