Parents feel the pinch

4.13.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 2nd Sep 2009

Sal Brinton, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Watford has been talking with parents about the cost of school uniform. The economic downturn has made this a real problem for many local families.

In addition, at least three schools in and around Watford have changed their uniform this summer. Whilst the schools are trying to be helpful, and phasing this in, parents on low and middle incomes have found the changes hard.

Sal said: 'Many of the parents I have talked to have told me how much harder they have found the cost this year, and it is not just the parents with uniform changes but across all schools. Two years ago some families would have been able to get assistance with the costs from the county council, but the Tory-run county council withdrew this service in their 2008/9 budget and did not see fit to put it back in this year.

Please can I ask parents whose children have grown out of their uniform to advertise them on Freecycle - I'm sure there are many families who would find it really helpful at this difficult economic time to recycle school uniform. Watford Freecycle can be accessed at http://www.freecycle.org/group/UK/East/Watford

Sal continued 'Whilst it will be great to see the children in their new uniforms, and many of them are really pleased at the smarter look, I hope parents will get together to help pass second hand uniforms on.'