Debate: Should the Government subsidise school uniforms?

YES - Amelia Howard, chief executive, School-Home Support

All parents/carers whose children receive free school meals should receive help with school uniform costs. Many families live with material hardship, and struggle to make ends meet. Teaching staff are often aware of the difficulties children and young people may face at home and incomplete school uniform can be an indicator. Children should not be stigmatised by their clothing and if the school has a uniform policy all children should be enabled to follow it.

NO - Spokeswoman for the DfES

We have issued strict guidance to schools to ensure that any uniform policy is affordable, that parents' views are considered, and that inappropriate sanctions are not used against pupils whose parents cannot afford particular items of uniform. Section 518 of the Education Act 1996 empowers LEAs with discretion to provide clothing grants. Individual LEAs are best placed to determine the level of need in their area and the decision whether to provide grants and the criteria for eligibility are up to them. The Government is also already supporting families facing hardship.