AS parents and carers prepare their children for the new academic term, they are faced with crippling school uniform costs.

That’s why I introduced a law aimed at making uniforms more affordable across England.

Core elements focused on keeping branded clothing items to a minimum and introducing competitive tendering where a single supplier relationship exists with the school.

Slashing the number of branded items allows cheaper supermarket versions to be purchased instead. While breaking up cosy single supplier set-ups and promoting swap shops, is good for the environment and good for the pocket.

Unfortunately, loopholes mean my new law is not as effective as it needs to be.

A recent poll by The Children’s Society found parents and carers of secondary school children are paying on average £422 per year on uniform, and around £287 for primary school children.

I’ve always acknowledged the legislation was a compromise to ensure its passage through Parliament.

Now, with the prospect of a Labour Government looking more likely, I’m calling for the law to be strengthened. As such, I’ve proposed an amendment to go before the upcoming Labour Party conference in the autumn.

The goal is to set a numerical minimum for the number of branded uniform items, ideally limited to just one logo on the blazer. Moreover, I will advocate for more frequent competitive tendering exercises, reducing the cycle to three years instead of five.

To be clear, I am pro school uniforms. They are a great social leveller and can work out cheaper as children are less pressured to wear the latest designer clothes.

But in recent years school uniform policies have been failing our young people, who can face isolation and even exclusion for not being able to afford the ‘right’ clothes.

Parents should not be forced to choose between putting food on the table and buying their school’s expensive branded gear. The cost-of-living crisis has only made matters worse.

My Private Member's Bill is a step forward, but we must go further.

Affordable school uniforms directly impact students' well-being and families' financial stability in a positive way. By amending the legislation, we can take significant strides forward in creating a more inclusive and equitable education system.

I am determined to press for changes in the law to ensure every child can access an affordable school uniform, regardless of their family's financial situation.