Good news for families in Tower Hamlets: school uniform discounts are coming your way!

If you live in Tower Hamlets and have kids at school, you may be able to save money on their school uniforms.  

The local council plans to help families with the cost of new uniforms and you could be eligible for a grant.  

What is the school uniform grant?  

Tower Hamlets is planning on rolling out a scheme that will provide school uniform grants for families with household incomes of £50,350 or less.  

They’ve set aside £3m in funding over the next three years and it’s estimated that around 21,000 children will benefit from the scheme.  

How much will you get?  

If you qualify, you’ll be able to claim: 

• £50 per child going into primary school 

• £150 per child going into secondary school 

This support is part of the council’s ongoing efforts to ease the financial pressure on families.  

Tower Hamlets mayor, Lutfur Rahman, noted that sending children through school, college and university is not an easy task and can place great pressure on families.  

“Every parent wants their children to have the best life chances and as a council we are trying to support them in this endeavour,” said Rahman.  

How has Tower Hamlets supported families before?  

Since May 2022, the Tower Hamlets council has invested more than £25m into supporting young people. This has included: 

• Funding free school meals for primary and secondary children. 

• College grants worth £600. 

• University bursaries worth £1,500. 

The government’s school uniform cap   

There’s also some good news for families nationally. Starting in September 2026, schools will only be allowed to require three branded items per child, plus a tie. This could save you over £50 per child on uniforms when the changes take effect. 

Mark Russell from the Children’s Society has welcomed the move, saying that the high cost of uniforms has put unnecessary financial strain on families for far too long.  

But concerns have also been raised about the impact on school sports, with Conservative MP Louie French questioning whether this will affect participation in PE. 

Education minister Catherine McKinnell responded, reassuring that no child should be excluded from participating in school activities because of uniform costs.  

McKinnell stated that guidance already encourages schools to select PE kit items that are comfortable, practical and appropriate for all students. 

“Together with new limits on unnecessary branded items, this approach will help to ensure that all students feel confident and able to participate fully in physical activities,” she said. 

Need help with uniform costs now?  

While the government’s changes won’t kick in until 2026, you may need some help with uniform costs right now.  

Here’s what you can do: 

Check if your local council offers grants – some councils provide up to £200 as a non-repayable grant to help with uniform costs.

You may qualify if your child receives free school meals and if you’re receiving one of the following benefits: 

•  child tax credit 

• income support 

• income-based job seekers allowance 

• income-related employment and support allowance 

• support under part VI of the immigration and asylum act 1999 

• the guaranteed element of pension credit 

• universal credit 

• working tax credit  

To find out if you're eligible, contact your local council.   

Other ways to save 

• Check for second-hand uniforms – some schools offer second-hand uniforms at a lower cost.  

• Ask your child’s headteacher for help – if buying a new uniform, PE kit, or footwear is a struggle, get in contact with your child’s headteacher to see if any support is available.