School uniform costs - Adding to family woes

At a time when people find it hard to put bread on the table, or can’t meet mortgage payments, the high cost of school uniforms will impose a further burden on weary parents.

An item that adds significantly to the cost of a uniform is the school crest. In most cases this is stitched on by the supplier. There is, however, a strong argument for using a crest, available in Northern Ireland for decades, that can be ironed on rather than forcing hard-pressed families to fork out more money.

This may seem an insignificant matter, but it is certain to raise concerns when the Government introduces changes to child benefits, including means-testing in a welcome bid to rule out rich families. But many parents will have to cut back on vital necessities and the crests of a school uniform should not add to their woes.