Yahoo News Cost-of-living crisis: School uniform logos could be ditched in Wales
The short of it
Wales is looking at ditching logos on school uniforms as parents face increasing financial strains amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The average uniform costs £337 for secondary schools and £315 for primary.
The government has asked schools to be "lenient" on logos being on uniforms, with either none needed at all or the option for free iron-on labels to be used.
The long of it
Wales could opt to ditch school uniform logos under plans to make them cheaper for parents as the cost of living crisis puts families under increasing financial burdens.
According to a letter seen by the BBC, education minister Jeremy Miles said the move would give parents the option to buy less expensive uniforms.
The Welsh government is set to look at whether the uniforms should have no logo, or instead use free iron-on logos.
A spokesperson for the government said a public consultation on the proposed changes will take place "shortly".
According to the Children's Society, the average cost for a child's secondary school uniform is around £337.
Primary school uniforms cost on average £315.
Read more: Back to school - How to save on uniforms as prices soar
Lisa Watkins, a mother-of-two from Caerphilly, told the BBC that she is setting up a school uniform exchange so parents can donate old uniforms.
She told the broadcaster that while a jumper without a logo can be bought for £5 in a supermarket, but one with a logo from a school shop can cost as much as £16 - over three times the amount.
In the letter, Miles has asked for schools to "provide leniency" over the rules for logos on uniforms in an effort to help parents.
He said that some spend "eye-watering" amounts of money to send their children to school and added: "I hope you will agree that this is simply not acceptable.
"We know that school logos, for example, continue to be a burden for many families. I have therefore asked my officials to explore options in respect of logos on school uniforms.
Read more: Student finance basics and ways to cut costs at university
Parents have reported struggling to afford the uniforms, with one mother saying she's lost sleep over the burden.
Hollie Phillips, who is unemployed with two children, said without handouts from schools to buy uniform, she would not be able to send her six-year-old Albie to school.
Hollie, who is hoping to return to work next week, told Sky News: "It's awful. There are nights obviously I don't sleep because I'm thinking how am I going to be able to afford anything," Ms Phillips said, who is hoping to return to work next week."
