The Early Day Motion, tabled in support of the Schoolwear Association's campaign, has received cross-party support and the Association is currently lobbying the European Commission to turn its proposals into legislation. To further publicise its campaign, retail members of the Association are also holding an Untax Our Teens Week in July.

Conservative MP Nigel Evans tabled the Early Day Motion entitled ‘VAT on School-Specific Uniforms' back in March and it has so far been signed by 64 MPs. The British Government does not, unfortunately, have the power to change VAT rates in this country without first gaining permission from the European Union.

Therefore, in order to advance its campaign, the Schoolwear Association is currently lobbying the European Commission, which is conducting a consultation this summer on a number of goods and services proposed for a reduced rate of VAT across the European Union - of which school uniform is included. As part of this review, the Schoolwear Association has submitted its rationale as to why the rate of VAT should be reduced to 5% on upper body, badged items of school-specific uniform. Once the consultation has ended, the EU will then debate the proposal and vote on whether it should be integrated into EU law. As this relates to the highly sensitive topic of tax policy, the proposal will require the ‘unanimous' approval of all 27 European Member States.

To ensure the Untax Our Teens campaign remains in the public eye, retail members of The Schoolwear Association are holding an Untax Our Teens Week in their shops in July. Shop staff will be wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the Untax Our Teens logo, handing out promotional goods and encouraging customers to sign up to a petition in support of the campaign.

Schoolwear Association Chair, Donald Moore, says: "The Government's current taxation policy imposing VAT on sizes deemed suitable for children under 14 is completely out of date. Many 11-13 year olds are tall for their age and require uniforms the Government has classified suitable for those aged over 14. Indeed, it has been estimated that one 13 year old's parents could be paying as much as £20 more for their uniform than another."

To join the association or find out more information go to: http://www.schoolwearassociation.co.uk/

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