ACT welcomes Labour backing cheaper school uniforms

“ACT welcomes Labour's decision to back our policy to make school uniforms more affordable, and I'm calling on every other political party to get on board so we can make uniforms cheaper for Kiwi families," says ACT's Education spokesperson Laura McClure.

“ACT announced this policy back in June. Four months later, Labour has come to the same conclusion. As one person put it at Chris Hipkins’ announcement “The difference between your and ACT's policy is that they had more detail".

“ACT's policy would limit state schools to three compulsory branded uniform items and allow parents to buy everyday basics like shorts, skirts, pants, and socks from retailers such as The Warehouse and Kmart.

“Last year, 38,000 WINZ hardship loans worth $11 million were issued to help families buy school uniforms. It's ridiculous that parents are having to go into debt to buy basic clothing for their children.

“It's encouraging to see Labour recognise that the answer to the cost of living isn't always more Government spending. Sometimes it's as simple as removing unnecessary restrictions and allowing competition to do its job.

“Now that ACT and Labour agree, there is no reason the other parties shouldn't get behind this common-sense change. Every party should commit to giving parents more choice and bringing down costs.

“ACT doesn't mind Labour copying our homework when it means parents can keep more of their hard-earned money. We have plenty more ideas where that comes from when it comes to ending wasteful spending, cutting red tape and ensuring one law for all and one future together.”