A SCHOOLWEAR firm is launching a petition to get Chancellor Gordon Brown to abolish VAT on uniforms.

Clitheroe-based firm Trutex wants the Government to change its policy on all uniforms bearing a school badge or insignia, regardless of size or age.

Currently, all school uniforms for pupils aged under 14 in primary and middle schools qualify for zero-rating on tax on school garments.

For secondary schools, uniforms are subject to full 17.5 per cent VAT on all garments above the standard size of a child aged 14 years.

Trutex, which supplies more than 400 retailers nationwide, now makes blazers with 52-inch chests as standard, and will tailor make garments for even bigger sizes on request.

And it believes the rules penalise secondary school children who need bigger sizes.

After a report from the Office of Fair Trading into the cost of uniforms, Trutex is calling for reclassification of schoolwear.

Clare Rix, marketing director for the Taylor Street firm said: "For schools with pupils exclusively under the age of 14, VAT is not applied to their badged school uniform, irrespective of the size, yet this exemption is not extended to the majority of senior schools.

"There is no logical reason for this to be the case and it results in financial penalties for parents whose children need larger sizes.

"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 intentions."

A spokesman for the Treasury said: "This is not the first time this issue has been raised, but unfortunately we are trapped by European legislation.

"When we officially joined Europe in 1973, we were able to stipulate certain things that would have reduced or zero-rate tax, and one was children's clothes. At that time the limit was put at schoolwear up to 14 years and we cannot change those regulations without going through the European Commission.

"We are happy to take submissions such as this petition but people also need to take it to the European Commission."

He added: "If a parent has a child under 14 needing larger sizes than standard, then retailers should be encouraged to apply to HM Revenue and Customs for a VAT exemption for the garments, which is perfectly valid."

To sign Trutex's petition, which runs until the end of July, visit the website below.