Fri, 5 Sep 2008 9:19

A Northumberland-based MEP has said that more should be done to keep the cost of school uniforms under control.

Fiona Hall has called on schools to limit the number of customised items of clothing parents need to buy at the start of the school year.

She said that customised t-shirts and blazers displaying a school logo are often more expensive than plain items available at supermarkets and on the high street.

Given the current economic climate, she suggested that children should be allowed to wear plain polo shirts and t-shirts to school.

Speaking to the Morpeth Herald, Ms Hall said: "Rather than force parents to fork out several hundreds of pounds to buy special items of clothing featuring school logos, it should be possible for pupils to wear appropriate plain clothes which can be easily obtained from a variety of shops at affordable prices."

Research from Asda reveals that parents spend an average of £266 on school uniforms and £207 on PE kits each year.