Debate contribution: School Uniforms: Affordability

Debate contribution by Ms Connie Egan on 5 March 2024.

MLA

Ms Connie Egan

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

5 March 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

School Uniforms: Affordability

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4252528

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I support the motion and thank those who brought this important issue to the House. I hope that the Alliance amendment about a cap on costs will receive support from across the House. Since my election nearly two years ago, I have been contacted by parents right across my constituency who are concerned about the substantial and rising cost of school uniforms. The price of school uniforms places significant and unavoidable pressures on families each year. We need to ensure that children and young people right across Northern Ireland can go to school in a uniform that is affordable for all families. As the motion rightly points out, the uniform grant often does not cover the cost of the bare essentials, and, with many families struggling with the rising cost of living, support is not reaching all those who need it. Figures from the national parent survey 2023 support that and demonstrate that 48% of parents are concerned about the cost of sending their child to school, with 71% ranking uniforms as being among their top costs. In 2022, legislation came into effect in England that gave the Secretary of State for Education powers to set statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms. That requires schools to keep prices down wherever possible. While I hope that we will go further than that, it is yet another example of Northern Ireland's falling behind, with no legislation having been introduced here during that time due to the collapse of the Assembly. In 2021, the Secondary Students' Union partnered with the parent engagement group to conduct research into young people's views on uniform. Of the young people who were surveyed, 71% were concerned or very concerned about being disciplined for wearing incorrect uniform, while 60% were concerned or very concerned about their family's being able to afford a uniform. Those are young people who are worried that they will be disciplined because of the financial circumstances of their families. That must change. As well as addressing costs, I would like to see a further review of school uniforms, which would look into issues including accessibility for pupils with disabilities, inclusivity and guidance on the disciplinary actions that pupils face when not adhering to school uniform rules. Pupils with disabilities or special educational needs may require additional sets of clothes due to medical needs, bespoke alterations to uniform — adding Velcro to trousers, for example — or specific items due to sensory issues. It is vital that uniform is accessible to every child who is attending a school without exceptions being necessary. I think that women across the Chamber would agree that it would be completely unacceptable for guidance to be in place requiring us all to wear skirts when conducting Assembly business. I see no reason why girls and young women in schools should be treated any differently. I am sure that many of us questioned the practicality of our own uniforms when we were in school. Girls' uniforms are often available from a limited number of stockists and are more restrictive in practical classes like drama. Girls and young women should be allowed to choose whether to wear a skirt or trousers. That reflects the reality of the society that we live in, and, for many, trousers would be a more practical and comfortable option. All pupils should have the option to wear whatever uniform is most suitable for them, as would be the case in a workplace or further and higher education setting.

Yes.

Thank you. Absolutely: the choice should be there for a pupil to wear a skirt or trousers — whatever they feel most comfortable in. I will just reiterate that pupils should have the option to wear whatever uniform is most suitable for them, as would be the case in a workplace or further and higher education setting. If the purpose of a uniform is practicality, equality and to foster a sense of belonging, it needs to be inclusive and suitable for every single pupil in a school community.

Absolutely. I am sure that the issue of PE kits is raised with all Members. As well as the cost of branded PE kits, which have been increasing throughout the years, accessibility for girls and encouraging girls and young women to participate in sport in the school setting are extremely important. Every year, we have the same conversations about the price and practicalities of uniforms. I hope that this is the start of a more substantive conversation, enabling us to deliver affordable, practical and fit-for-purpose uniforms for all children and young people that meet their needs without continuing to place an undue financial burden on families.

778 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not qualifying

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 09:46 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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