Frodsham MP Mike Amesbury's proposed law to slash the cost of school uniforms has moved a step closer to becoming reality.

While many schools insist parents buy expensive branded clothing from a single supplier, Mike's Private Members' Bill would make affordability a top priority and establish a fair and open tendering process.

His Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Bill passed its report stage and third reading in Parliament today (Friday, March 12) after receiving cross-party support.

Mike said: "This is another milestone and I want to thank the Children's Society and others for their campaigning work, which resulted in the Government finding time for the Bill to progress."

The Labour MP continued: "I am absolutely pro school uniforms. They are a great social leveller and can work out cheaper as children are less pressured to wear the latest designer clothes.

"However, current school uniform policies are failing young people, who can face isolation and even exclusion for not being able to afford the 'right' clothes.

"We must not force parents to choose between putting food on the table and buying their school's expensive branded gear, especially when budgets are so tight due to the impact of the pandemic."

According to research by the Children's Society, families are spending an average of £337 per year on uniform for each child at secondary school, while parents of primary school children spent £315.

The Bill must now go to the House of Lords before gaining Royal Assent. If it passes every stage, it will become law before the summer.

Mark Russell, chief executive of The Children's Society, said: "Expensive school uniforms have long been a burden for low income families.

"Last year we estimated that around a million families had cut back on food and other essentials to cover the costs.

"We are therefore delighted the Bill has gone through and fairer priced school uniforms are closer to becoming a reality.

"This year children have already missed out on so much time in school and we hope no pupil risks missing more education because of high school uniform costs.

"We now encourage the government to work closely with Peers to give this Bill the best chance of becoming law."