Tower Hamlets has set aside £3 million over the next three years for the grants
Around 7,000 families in east London are set to benefit from a school uniform grant scheme launched by Tower Hamlets Council, aimed at easing the financial pressure on parents ahead of the new school year.
The council has committed £3 million over the next three years to support eligible households, offering £50 to children starting primary school and £150 to those beginning secondary school. The grants are available to families earning less than £50,350 a year, with the intention of helping to cover the growing cost of school clothing and essential items.
The move comes as national concern grows over the burden school uniforms place on struggling families. Research by the Children’s Society has found that parents spend an average of £422 per year on secondary school uniforms and £287 on primary school attire — a significant outlay, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis.
Mohi, a father living in Tower Hamlets, told the BBC that school uniform costs were a constant concern. “As a parent, we always think ahead. So [uniforms] is something that is a matter of worry for me and my family,” he said. “Day-to-day expenses and costs are really high, and adding uniform costs on top makes things very difficult.”
The initiative has been widely welcomed by local charities and community groups. Action for Children, which works with disadvantaged families across the UK, described the pressure of uniform costs as “huge,” particularly as households face ongoing struggles with rent, food, and energy bills. In some cases, parents have reportedly been forced to cut back on essentials just to ensure their children are appropriately dressed for school.
Schools have also weighed in on the issue. The headteacher of London Enterprise Academy in Tower Hamlets noted that, while their full uniform costs more than £200, they offer additional support to reduce the impact on parents. “We provide a free PE kit to all pupils who join the school and give out free blazers as well,” they explained, adding that helping families access uniforms is a crucial part of their commitment to inclusive education.
Students themselves have also highlighted the importance of uniform support. Suraia, a pupil at the Academy, told the BBC that feeling “inferior” to classmates because of clothing has a knock-on effect on confidence and academic performance. “It affects literally everything — how you feel, how you interact with others, even how you learn,” she said.
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In response to growing concerns, the Government introduced the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which aims to reduce uniform costs by limiting the number of branded items schools can require parents to purchase. The legislation, which cleared Parliament in January, restricts mandatory branded items to just three per school. However, it does not include provisions for direct financial assistance to families.
Tower Hamlets’ Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, said the council’s School Uniform Grant would “go some way” towards ensuring all children can attend school with the dignity and confidence they deserve. “We know the challenges our families are facing, and we’re committed to supporting them in practical ways,” he said. “No child should have to feel excluded or anxious simply because their family cannot afford a uniform.”
Applications for the grant are expected to open ahead of the autumn term, with the council urging eligible families to apply promptly to ensure timely support. The scheme is part of a wider local strategy to tackle inequality and improve opportunities for young people in one of London’s most diverse and deprived boroughs.
