Schools should not require branded uniforms, a council said.
Portsmouth City Council said parents with children in government schools spend an average of £337 a year on school uniforms.
Most require students to purchase branded items, “which are often significantly more expensive than unbranded alternatives,” according to the agency.
Instead, it was suggested that parents should be allowed to iron or sew logos onto unbranded items.
A motion from the council said it would write to schools asking them to stop using mandatory branded uniforms, where unbranded items can be bought at cheaper prices.
The agency agreed that during a livelihood crisis “there can be no justification for school uniform policies that require families to purchase branded items that are significantly more expensive than unbranded items.”
An example given by the Council was that a branded blazer can cost £49 while unbranded blazers are available online for £12.
The council also said it would also consider extending the provision of free school meals to children in households who are struggling financially but do not meet national criteria.
Councilor Terry Norton told the Local Democracy Reporting Service there was an “over-reliance” on uniforms by schools.
“Uniform has a place,” he added. “The problem is that it’s not the be-all and end-all and is being used as a weapon against teenagers in many schools.”
A Portsmouth resident also spoke to the council ahead of the application.
“I have four children who went to school and had to buy branded school uniforms,” said Maria Oyegbile.
“It was not easy for the family financially and on many occasions I had to use my credit cards.”
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