Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

SCHOOL UNIFORM PETITION GOES TO DOWNING STREET

A petition signed by over 4,500 people challenging The Chancellor, Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, to abolish VAT on all items of school uniform that carry a school badge has today been presented to Downing Street by the nation’s most well known schoolwear brand, Trutex.

The petition was delivered by Daniel Tomlinson of Trutex, the company behind the campaign, and five school children just as new research, commissioned by the schoolwear supplier, reveals that nine out of ten parents feel that VAT should not be payable on school uniform featuring a school badge.

According to the national survey of parents with children aged between nine and 16 years, 90 per cent feel VAT should not be payable on school uniform and the same percentage again feel that VAT should not be payable on badged or school specific items of clothing.

Trutex is calling for the reclassification of schoolwear, which could potentially see the removal of VAT on all school specific products ranging from blazers to blouses and knitwear to sportswear, encompassing the full size spectrum from age three to size XXXL.

Currently in schools that cater exclusively for pupils under 14 years of age, namely primary and middle schools, zero-rating is applied on garments featuring a prominent badge or piping in school colours regardless of garment size. However, within standard secondary schools (ages 11-16), schoolwear is subject to the normal rules for children’s clothes, whereby the full rate VAT (17.5 per cent) is applied to all garments above the standard size of a child aged 14 years.

Whilst Trutex accepts that unbadged school uniform in adult sizes such as a plain white shirt, can be used for other purposes, a garment featuring a school logo, crest or piping in school colours, can only be used for its intended purpose.

Commenting on the petition and the new research findings, Clare Rix, Trutex marketing director said:

“Our 4,500 strong petition and research findings clearly demonstrate that VAT on schoolwear is a big issue, and one that is receiving growing support from parents, schools and the schoolwear industry as a whole.

“If the government really is serious about reducing the cost of school uniform for parents, then this is an ideal opportunity for them to demonstrate their intensions”.

“As a schoolwear supplier, we have driven this campaign in an attempt to make school uniform more affordable for parents and hope that it will go someway to support schools that are keen to create a strong identity and sense of pride by badging / branding specific products.”

-Ends-

For further info contact:

Ellie Mayers at EPM Communications on tel: 07771 682 060 or ellie@epmcommunications.co.uk

Photography

Photography available on request by contacting Ellie Mayers on tel: 07771 682 060

Notes to editor:

Survey

Online research was carried out by Gusto Research in July 2007

Trutex

Trutex remains dedicated to its audience and continues to pioneer developments in the markets. With a commitment to producing comfortable, premium quality, well-designed clothing coupled with Trutex’s unique ability to keep in touch with the needs of its customers, the company has led the way for over 130 years.

For further info on Trutex visit [http://www.trutex.com/]

HM Revenue & Customs

HM Revenue & Customs state that garments designed for young children must fit within the physical measurement or equate to the average body size of a child up to the eve of their 14th birthday. Consequently, VAT relief is only applicable on children’s clothing measuring below 104cm / 41” chest for boys shirts and knitwear, 105cm / 41.5” chest for girls blouses and knitwear, 72cm / 28.5” waist for boys trouser or 71cm / 28” waist for girls trousers and skirts.

For further info on VAT on young children’s clothing visit:
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPort...