Section 9 Meaning of unfair costs aspectsI1

Northern Ireland

(1)

The reference in this Chapter to unfair costs aspects of school uniform policies is to any aspects of school uniform policies which, in the Department’s view, could in any way raise questions as to—

(a)

excessive costs of school uniforms, including by virtue of costs of—

(i)

particular items or sets of clothing, or

(ii)

all items or sets of clothing needed by individual pupils, or

(b)

unreasonable costs of obtaining school uniforms arising (to any extent) by virtue of limited choice of places at which, or retailers from whom, suitable items or sets of clothing are readily available.

(2)

The Department is, in reaching its view as to such excessive costs, to have special regard to any evidence it has on—

(a)

significantly higher costs of school uniforms comprising clothing of specific styles (chiefly as compared to such uniforms comprising more generic styles), and

(b)

widespread problems as to non-affordability of school uniforms to lower income households (including in light of the sorts of financial constraints that are commonly understood to prevail in such households).

Annotations

Commencement

I1: S. 9 in operation at 20.2.2026, see s. 18(2)