School uniform, in larger sizes, is subject to VAT. 

Clothing and shoes for young children have been charged a zero rate of VAT since the introduction of the tax on 1 April 1973. VAT relief is based on the maximum size an average child will be on their 14th birthday.

So, clothes for older children, as well as many children under the age of 14 who are larger than average, are taxed at 20%, including School Uniform. 

Once we exit the EU on the 29th March 2019 our government will be able to set our own rules about what VAT does and doesn't apply to. This is their chance to do the right thing when it comes to the 4 million children living in poverty, and the many more in their self named 'just about managing' families in the UK. 

We are asking the treasury to scrap VAT on ALL school uniform, to make access to education more affordable for all families. 

There are 4.1 Million children living in poverty in the UK. Families who are living below the minimum income standard cannot afford school uniforms and are relying on charities and good-will to get their children prepared for school. This is not good enough. Schools and government need to take responsibility to ensure that ALL children have equal access to the things they need to make the most of their education.