Thu, 08 May 2025

Thu, 08 May 2025 Sports kits that 'don't last' push prices 'up and up and up'

The School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill is currently being scrutinised by MLAs on Stormont's Education Committee.

* Branded school sports kits have driven up the cost of school uniforms and "ruined the reputation" of sellers, according to a retailer.
* Many parents are paying more for their child's PE kit than for their uniform, with some items needing to be replaced throughout the year due to wear and tear.
* A maximum price limit is being considered as part of proposed laws to limit the cost of school uniforms.
* Education Minister Paul Givan also suggested limiting the number of branded items that schools can ask parents to buy.
* Retailers called for a three-year "window" before any new law took effect, warning that it could lead to bankruptcies and redundancies if implemented too quickly.
* The current school uniform grant for low-income families in Northern Ireland is lower than in Wales or Scotland, with many parents struggling to afford the costs.
* Branded sports kits are being blamed for increasing prices, as they are often provided exclusively by sports companies that have negotiated a monopoly on supply.
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