SCHOOL uniforms 'should be simplified' to avoid parents having to be too out of pocket just to send their children back to school.

This has been the response to the news that state schools will be forced to remove unnecessary branded items from their uniform requirements, allowing parents to shop around more easily. 

However, the new legislation requires branding to be kept to a minimum but not outright banned. Therefore some students will continue to wear items with school logos such as blazers. 

Maria Louise Boyd said: "Stop contracting out the uniforms to companies that charge the earth, and go back to, for example, requirements being a blue jumper or v-neck and a blue blazer.

"No logos or designer gear allowed, just basic wear. Maybe they could just sell the iron-on badges that they used to hand out for £2.50 with the school logo on again, or scrap the school logos.

"We know which school it is via the ties and colours. I can't believe how much of a money making venture school uniforms have been allowed to become!"

Maureen Balding said: "We should just scrap the monopoly on logo-applied garments. 

"Some prices are ridiculous, my granddaughter's school blazer was £105 and tracksuit for £80.

"Then there is the rest of the uniform, who can afford that?"

Joanne Brand said: "Scrap the expensive logo on everything, surely as long as its on their jumper that's enough."

Dorothy King said: "Just allow parents to purchase the uniform where they want, not at the overpriced, logo-driven, specified shop."

Nicola Smith said: "It is time to stop expecting expensive branding by schools on items that you can only buy in one place."

A Department for Education spokesman said: "School uniform must never be a burden for parents or a barrier to pupils accessing education."

It said that the government would be providing over £37 billion to help households with the greatest need and supporting families through the Household Support Fund.