A mother-of-four has revealed she spent over £900 on school uniforms for her children this year, a cost she says will jeopardise Christmas. Karyssa Bates, from Hull, has called for uniforms to be scrapped or made more affordable, arguing that basic items such as jumpers, trousers and polo shirts should suffice without school logos.
Ms Bates told NeedToKnow she had been saving £75 a month since last Christmas in an attempt to manage the expense, but it has not been enough. She said the financial burden has left her 'sick with worry' and unable to afford treats, days out or new clothes for her children, who range from primary to secondary school age.
The stay-at-home mum said her £1,700 monthly Universal Credit payment is stretched thin, with uniform costs alone exceeding half of that amount. After covering food and household bills totalling £1,525, she has no spare money left. 'I feel like I'm failing as a mum,' she said, noting that last Christmas was already sparse and this year will be similar.
According to the Schoolwear Association, average uniform costs have risen sharply, with secondary school pupils costing £442 and primary pupils £343 – up from just £96.24 per pupil two years ago. Labour has pledged to cap the number of branded uniform items schools can require from September 2026 under the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, aiming to reduce costs for families.
