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Moves by the Welsh Government to help ease the financial burden of school uniforms have been welcomed.

Under new statutory guidance, schools must now consider the financial impact any changes to uniforms might have on families.

Uniform items branded with a school logo should not be compulsory while schools should also ensure second hand uniforms can be made available.

Items should also be available from multiple suppliers at reasonable prices and things such as blazers should be avoided.

The new guidance follows a consultation where 56% of respondents agreed that logos should not be required on school uniforms in comparison to 27% who disagreed.

Nearly 90% of respondents also felt that schools should avoid single supplier agreements.

There was almost universal consensus that schools should operate uniform exchange or recycling schemes.

Wales’ Education Minister Jeremy Miles said he wanted to see the cost of uniforms come down.

He said: “School uniforms are an important part of identify for a school, but it is absolutely vital that uniforms are affordable. This is why I am asking schools to prioritise making school uniforms cheaper for families, who continue to feel the pressure of rising costs.”

He added: “I know that most schools are doing everything they can to keep costs down for families. But we have still seen too many cases where families have had to purchase expensive uniforms. The guidance we are publishing today will support schools in reducing these costs.”

The Welsh Government currently offers a School Essentials Grant with up to £300 available to eligible families to help purchase school uniform and equipment.

Lisa Watkins runs Caerphilly Uniform Exchange – a community interest company based in Lansbury Park, where old school uniforms can be donated for others to use.

Since opening the shop in January this year, Caerphilly Uniform Exchange has helped more than 200 families.

Lisa said: “These are only guidelines, so it’s a bit disappointing they are not putting more pressure on schools, but I welcome what the Welsh Government is doing massively.

“It will give parents more of a choice where they can shop and not be forced to go to one supplier.”

Lisa said the costs associated with new school uniform can be expensive, with the impact felt by working families.

She added: “It’s important to stress it’s not necessarily the people on the lowest incomes who are affected.

“There should be no financial burden associated with sending a child to school. World Book Day, Children in Need, Proms, and there are many more things that are costing parents.”

Caerphilly Senedd Member Hefin David also welcomed the new guidance and said that while the School Essentials Grant was an important source of help, parents ineligible for that support were struggling.

He said: “Ensuring that parents can shop around is important, that was clear from the consultation. I’ve visited numerous schools in Caerphilly who are running a uniform exchange or making clothes available as part of their ‘reducing waste’ initiatives. This option is invaluable for many families, but it also allows people to support others in their community.

“I am visiting Caerphilly Uniform Exchange next week and I am sure I will hear much more about this issue, which is a big concern for lots of families.”

The Welsh Conservatives’ Shadow Education Minister, Laura Anne Jones MS, who represents South Wales East, said the Welsh Government needed to do more.

She said: “There are already viable alternatives available such as iron or sewn on labels which need to be promoted and available for parents, so parents have choice when it comes to school uniform.

“As I have said previously, the Welsh Government need to stop warm words and multiple consultations that kick the can down the road and deliver help to families, and support schools.”