Twickenham MP Munira Wilson has said she is "disappointed" after MPs voted down Liberal Democrat proposals to cap the cost of branded school uniforms.

Speaking during a debate on the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill in the House of Commons on Monday (9 March), Wilson criticised the Government for rejecting amendments that would have introduced a monetary cap on the price of branded uniform items required by schools.

The proposals, tabled in the House of Lords by Lord Mohammed of Tinsley, aimed to limit how much families could be required to spend on branded school clothing.

Wilson told MPs the cost of school uniforms can create "real hardship" for families, particularly during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

"We know that the price of uniform causes real hardship for families," she said.

"Children are sometimes sent home for wearing the wrong item of uniform, which disrupts their learning."

She argued that a price cap would help keep costs down for parents while still allowing schools flexibility over their uniform policies.

She added: "A monetary cap would do precisely the opposite of what the Government fears.

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"It would use the market and incentivise suppliers to drive down their prices."

Following the vote, Wilson took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to criticise the outcome.

"Disappointed to see Labour MPs vote down @LibDems proposals to cap the cost of branded school uniform this evening [9 March]," she posted.

"We want to put ££ back into parents' pockets and give schools freedom to set their own uniform policy. The Government's approach risks putting up uniform prices."

During the debate, Wilson also raised concerns about cuts to the adoption and special guardianship support fund, which provides therapeutic support for vulnerable children.

She warned that reductions to the scheme last year had left many adoptive parents and kinship carers struggling to afford support services.

"The fund is a lifeline for families, but that lifeline is fraying," she argued.

Wilson also backed proposals to strengthen sibling contact rights for children in care and called for stronger regulation of children's personal data online and social media platforms.

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The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to improve safeguarding and support for children and families across England and Wales.

Measures in the legislation include introducing a mandatory register for children not in school, requiring free breakfast clubs in all state primary schools, limiting branded school uniform requirements and creating a single unique identifier for children accessing public services.

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