I see that too here in Ireland. Uniforms (and meals) should be included with education. Everyone should have at least all the materials they need.
This was one of the ideas behind the OLPC laptop - it was supposed to be a standard tool and end up cheaper than printing and shipping physical books. Didn’t work out, but beget netbooks, chromebooks and other low end laptops, which are kind of great for kids.
A) It didn't solve the issue, people looked at other signifiers such as jewellery or shoes instead (or if the uniform required "a white polo" then they'd have a name brand polo instead).
B) It forced the parent to buy (in some cases) expensive Uniform(s) (because you can't have just 1 and kids grow quickly too).
For the second point I was fortunate enough to have really good grades when tested, so I was allowed to go to a more prestigious school that required a tie and blazer.
The total cost for everything was more than my Mum received in cash for an entire year. If it wasn't for my granddad stepping in I wouldn't have been able to go to the school on those grounds alone.
(EDIT: just so I'm clear, Mum got about 48~ gbp per week but rent was paid directly by the Government)
we are nothing but smarter chimps. our basic psychology is tribalistic one with a strong dominance hierarchy. we are constantly looking for anything to put out selves above others and are constantly looking for social signals of dominance.
This happens today because shoes and bags aren’t part of the uniform. Other than the colour requirements. That was a source of bullying for myself and others.