Some MPs are calling for VAT on school uniforms to be scrapped as families face the pinch ahead of the new term.

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A typical set of clothes and equipment now costs £99.94, the Office for National Statistics said.

Sports trainers are up by 22 per cent — around £6.35 more than last year.

Trousers have risen by six per cent to £10.64 and girls’ jackets by eight per cent to £22.98.

Stationery costs are up 16 per cent to £7.39, while a weekly packed lunch has gone up 22 per cent to £11.60 per child.

The rises have pushed parents towards using uniform recycling schemes.

Lib Dem education spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “It is time this government scrapped the ‘school uniform tax’ to help cash-strapped families this summer.”

A government spokesman said it is “ensuring costs are kept reasonable” with measures including “a zero-rate of VAT for clothing and footwear designed for young children less than 14 years of age”.

It is also giving extra funding to some councils for grants for buying uniforms.