Business
Free school uniform bank in Suffolk ‘vital’ say parents
BBC News, Suffolk
George King/BBCFor parents across Suffolk and further afield, buying school uniforms can prove pricey – setting them back hundreds of pounds per child.
Add in a recent increase in inflation, and the cost of kitting out the kids has become increasingly unaffordable for some families.
Some parents use school uniform banks where they can pick up everything from blazers, trousers and ties to clean underwear and shoes for free.
It is a service that can make a huge difference – but, as some parents at a uniform bank in Beccles have been telling us, it is a service that should perhaps not be needed at all.
‘It’s a real struggle’
“They shouldn’t have to be a thing, absolutely not, but they are a godsend and a blessing and they are just brilliant and really useful,” said 40-year-old Becky Mather.
“I have two teenage boys who grow very quickly, so you have to renew their stuff every year and you are looking at £100 per child at least.
“If they want the kids to wear a uniform they should issue a set of uniforms per child and then you just have to replace it if they break it, or make them more affordable.
“I am living on benefits at the moment and you just cannot afford uniform from your regular money – not if you want to eat at the same time. It’s a real struggle.”
George King/BBCUniform banks work in a similar way to foodbanks, in that they give people-in-need the opportunity to pick up essentials at no cost.
The latest data from the Department for Education (DfE) shows the average cost of a full uniform and PE kit for secondary school is £442.
Primary school parents can expect to fork out £343.
George King/BBCIn Beccles at the St Luke’s Church Centre, for example, Natalie Hull, 37, came away with a summer dress, a school skirt, a new tie, shirts, two polo shirts and new underwear.
“Somewhere like this is absolutely brilliant and it really helps out, because it is just a non-stop expense,” said the mother-of-two.
“I don’t know who is to blame – it’s just the economy, the uniforms being overpriced and the cost of living has gone up.
“We make cut-backs on trips and we haven’t been on a holiday abroad for years because we just cannot afford it.
“Nine times out of 10 I will get a second-hand uniform because new it is just extortionate.”
George King/BBCEarlier this year the government told schools that the number of compulsory branded items that they would be able to make parents purchase would be reduced.
It said seven in 10 secondary schools and 35% of primary schools in England could request three branded items, and a branded tie for secondary students.
The new rule was part of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which still has several parliamentary stages to go through before becoming law.
George King/BBC
George King/BBC“All the branded stuff is what costs the money – if you could have blazers and add your own patch then it would save an absolutely fortune,” said Laura Brockwell, 40.
“I work full-time but it’s still not enough to cover everyday living and then also uniform and shoes – is just extortionate.
“We’ve had to cut back on days out because that’s just expensive – if you have to choose between food and going out then you are going to choose food and uniforms.
“But that’s the way of living at the moment, unfortunately.”
George King/BBCExisting statutory guidance requires schools to consider the cost of their uniform so that it is not a deciding factor for parents when choosing schools.
The government claims parents will save around £50 per child through its new school uniform measures, which it plans to introduce in September 2026.
Fran Tuck, warden at St Luke’s Church Centre in Beccles, hoped it would make a difference.
“People are struggling and it seems such a shame they have to decide between buying uniform or having decent food,” she said.
“In an ideal world a uniform bank, like foodbanks and parish pantries, would not exist.
“But, unfortunately, people are living on the breadline and it is very difficult if you have three children and you are on a minimal income. Life is very hard.”
Business
Gurugram Attracts Rs 86,588 Crore In Real Estate Investments In 2025 As RERA Clears 131 Projects
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Alongside rising investments, Gurugram RERA strengthened regulatory oversight to safeguard homebuyer and investor interests
Gurgaon Real Estate (Representative Image)
Gurugram emerged as one of India’s top real estate investment destinations in 2025, with projects worth Rs 86,588 crore receiving regulatory approvals during the year, according to data from the Gurugram Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Gurugram RERA).
Market observers said the numbers reflect strong investor confidence in the NCR’s largest commercial and residential hub.
Gurugram RERA registered 131 projects in calendar year 2025, representing development potential of 35,455 units across housing and commercial segments.
A striking feature of the data was the dominance of large-ticket projects. Just 28 major developments accounted for investments worth Rs 59,360 crore, highlighting the growing influence of institutional capital and large developers in shaping Gurugram’s property market.
Residential assets continued to attract the bulk of investment interest. Of the total units approved, 31,455 were residential, underscoring sustained end-user demand and long-term confidence in the city’s housing fundamentals.
According to Authority data, the residential mix included 17,405 group housing units, 5,720 mixed land use units, 4,040 residential floor units, 2,122 affordable group housing units, 1,954 units under the Deen Dayal housing scheme, and 214 residential plotted colony units.
Market observers said this diversified supply pipeline indicates capital deployment across both premium and mass segments, helping reduce concentration risk and deepen market resilience.
On the commercial side, Gurugram RERA approved about 4,000 commercial units, of which 168 were dedicated to IT parks, reinforcing Gurugram’s position as a preferred hub for technology firms and Global Capability Centres.
Analysts noted that the combination of office-led employment growth and residential expansion continues to make Gurugram attractive for long-term capital deployment.
Industry experts said the scale of investments approved in 2025 highlights Gurugram’s ability to attract capital despite global uncertainty, supported by infrastructure growth, a strong corporate base and an improving regulatory environment.
“With a large pipeline of approved projects and sustained interest from developers and institutional investors, Gurugram is expected to remain a key real estate investment destination in the coming years,” a Gurugram-based real estate expert said.
Tighter regulatory checks
Alongside rising investments, Gurugram RERA strengthened regulatory oversight to enhance transparency and safeguard homebuyer and investor interests.
“These steps included stricter scrutiny of developer submissions, mandatory site inspections by domain experts, and public consultation through mandatory notices before project registration,” an Authority official said.
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January 16, 2026, 07:44 IST
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National Startup Day highlights India’s thriving startup ecosystem, celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation driven by founders, unicorns and Startup India mission
National Startup Day 2026 honours Indian startups, entrepreneurs and innovators driving economic growth and job creation.
National Startup Day 2026: India’s startup ecosystem has evolved into one of the world’s most vibrant and promising innovation hubs. To recognise the contribution of entrepreneurs, founders and startups transforming ideas into impactful solutions, National Startup Day is observed every year on January 16 across the country.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, the day celebrates visionary entrepreneurs who play a crucial role in economic growth, employment generation and technological advancement.
National Startup Day serves as a reminder that innovation, backed by determination and policy support, can reshape society and create global impact.
National Startup Day 2026 Theme
The official theme for National Startup Day 2026 is yet to be announced. However, the core focus areas are expected to revolve around:
- Innovation and emerging technologies
- Entrepreneurship and leadership
- Self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat)
- Startup India Mission
- Youth empowerment
- Job creation
How Startups Are Shaping India’s Future
India currently ranks as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with over 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of early 2025. Backed by 100+ unicorns, the ecosystem continues to grow rapidly.
Metro cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi-NCR lead this expansion, while Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are emerging as new innovation centres, adding diversity and scale to India’s entrepreneurial journey.
Startups across fintech, edtech, health-tech, e-commerce and deep-tech are addressing real-world challenges and gaining global recognition. Technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and IoT are increasingly driving innovation, according to Startup India ecosystem reports.
Industry-Wise Startup Impact
DPIIT-recognised startups have generated over 16.6 lakh direct jobs across sectors as of October 31, 2024, strengthening India’s employment landscape.
- IT Services: 2.04 lakh jobs
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: 1.47 lakh jobs
- Commercial & Professional Services: 94,000 jobs
Through the Startup India initiative, the government continues to focus on skill development, funding access, ecosystem collaboration and global outreach.
Key Initiatives Under Startup India
- Capacity building and mentorship
- Outreach and awareness programmes
- Ecosystem development events
- International exposure and global linkages
- Collaboration between startups, corporates and institutions.
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January 16, 2026, 07:00 IST
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The government on Thursday kept petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices unchanged at Rs253.17 per litre and Rs257.08 per litre respectively, for the coming fortnight, starting from January 16.
This decision was notified in a press release issued by the Petroleum Division.
Earlier, it was expected that the prices of all petroleum products would go down by up to Rs4.50 per litre (over 1pc each) today in view of variation in the international market.
Petrol is primarily used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers, and directly impacts the budgets of the middle and lower-middle classes.
Meanwhile, most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary, as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains, and agricultural engines such as trucks, buses, tractors, tube wells, and threshers, and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables.
The government is currently charging about Rs100 per litre on petrol and about Rs97 per litre on diesel.
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Gurugram Attracts Rs 86,588 Crore In Real Estate Investments In 2025 As RERA Clears 131 Projects
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