No more uniforms stitch-up

SCHOOLS may be hauled into court over exclusive deals with uniform shops which rip off hard-up parents.

They have been ordered to let families shop around after Gidiupdate revealed some were being charged up to four times more.

Specialist suppliers could also be punished. The Competition and Markets Authority stepped in after a flurry of complaints at the start of the school year last month — with some parents paying up to £10 extra per item.

It warned heads, governing bodies and suppliers they will be fined if found in breach of competition law. Director of enforcement Ann Pope said: “We will consider action if necessary.

”In an investigation last August, we found specialist stores charged an average of £91 for a full uniform — compared to £21.50 at Asda.

Sam Royston of The Children’s Society said the expense can be a “millstone round the necks of poorer parents”

.School and parent bodies welcomed the move. But the Schoolwear Association, representing specialist stores, warned uniform quality may suffer.