Rules reported by the Department for Education on 4 September 2026 capped branded school uniform items at 3 for primary pupils and 4 for secondary pupils, with the department saying they took effect that week. The release said tightened guidance would close loopholes such as listing an item as optional without an affordable alternative, or pressuring parents into costly branded sports kit. Guidance on how schools buy uniform was due to be updated later that year, with schools expected to seek suppliers offering payment plans and to review supplier arrangements at least every 5 years.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said there were no exceptions to the limits and that the government would step in if schools tried to work around them. The release cited a Save the Children finding that 47% of parents ranked uniform as their biggest back-to-school worry, and said the Education Secretary could act to change a school's uniform policy where necessary. The department described the changes as part of a wider support package announced that week, including free school meals, childcare hours and breakfast clubs.