The pair were buying school uniforms and were clearly hating every minute of their shopping trip.

As they snapped up a range of three-for-two offers, I wondered why they were buying a new uniform in July. Surely if you're worried about your kids growing upwards or outwards you leave uniform shopping as close to the start of the new term as possible.

I've seen plenty of mums in meltdown come September but let's face it, uniform shopping is going to be a hassle whether it's done last minute or in the height of summer.

The hassled mum at Meadowhall should have thanked her lucky stars. Her teenage daughter didn't tower over the shelves and she certainly wasn't obese. She was buying regular uniforms at regular prices.

It's not a level playing field for all parents however.

Those with tall or overweight kids are being hit fair and square in the pockets.

A quarter of all parents, it transpires, are being taxed on their children's school uniform.

It's largely down to obesity but also due to the fact that kids are growing taller.

But why are we taxing our kids anyway? And why is 13-years-old the cut off?

Taxing kids' trainers is one thing but taxing their school uniforms is another and I'm struggling to understand why families are being hit in the pockets again. It's not like we get an option on whether our kids wear school uniforms.

Under the current law, VAT is not charged on clothing designed for those aged 13 and under. Great news if your kids are young, or striving to be an unhealthy size zero.

But if you've got an average teenager with an average appetite you'd better be prepared to pay extra for your kids clothes... or buy them adult sizes.

I can't see how taxing kids, and giving out the dangerous message that anything above aged 13 isn't child-sized, can be good for their self confidence.

I know most young girls want to be older than their years but it's a very slippery slope.

A pal has 16-year-old son who now towers over his teachers, and the world, at 6 feet 3 inches.

Mum has had to fork out for adult clothes and shoes since he was about 11. He isn't an ounce overweight but she is being constantly penalised for his height.

Family allowance doesn't pay extra for tall kids and it all seems a touch unfair.

The school uniform issue hit the headlines again this week when Bhs announced it was expanding its 'generous fit' range because pupils are struggling to fit into traditional-sized clothes.

That raises its own moral debate but what does seem wrong is that retailers can seemingly hike prices for larger sizes – whether it be through VAT or simply adding a few quid on.

Marks and Spencer recently admitted it was levying a tax on bigger breasted women.

Bras above a DD cup cost £2 more at M&S and, right across the High Street, bigger sizes usually cost more money.


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