Ask the firm. Some firms even have specifics on the box they go into ie lock type size etc. To be honest I can't see why they do t buy them claiming the vat and the lads pay back via wage deductions.
You can also seemingly claim back for the costs of laundering work clothes, if your work provides laundry then your sol. But if like most you take clothes home to launder you can file a claim with HMRC and they send you a cheque
https://www.uniformtaxrebate.co.uk/
https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/uniforms-work-clothing-and-tools
I got in as an apprentice at a branch of a well known agricultural equipment sales and service firm. They treat me like s#1t, and i didnt last long.
I was a skint 17yo with a clapped out G reg Astra and was paid low apprentice wages and i had a very basic set of tools, but lacked a really big sizes socket set and spanners. They expected me to just buy the tools i didnt have and were very resentful and rude when i had to ask to use any of their tools.The men who worked in the stores were rude, blunt and unhelpful. and everything seemed like it was a hassle to them. I was so skint and earning so little that i felt like i was just spinning my wheels, going nowhere. Eventually i became disheartened and stopped asking and everything just fell apart. So much for my apprenticeship, im still bitter about how i was treat.
As an example, a man asked me to clean his tools up that were laying in the side door on the floor of his transit. I wiped them all down and put them to one side for him to put back in his toolbox, and he found a chisel that i had missed because it was covered by a rag. He ordered me to start running, then threw it at me full pelt.
If you need clothes that are only used for your work, then anyone can claim, even suits
I got told I could only claim for protective clothing such as overalls. Trousers, shirts, etc were excluded
I think Teng are doing a winter promotion on toolboxes, including some basic tools, sockets, screwdrivers, spanners. Cheapest is £500, not sure what you are wanting to spend but its quality gear. When I served my time I was buying cheap ratchets from a market on piece. Splashed out on a Sykes Pickavant one for a fortune at the time (I was only on £27.50) a week and I still have that ratchet and still use it.
Not 100% but I don't think they are allowed to do this. The firm I worked for did a similar scheme and it came to an abrupt end. Why I don't know but they were told by the accountants to stop it or big trouble off HMRC
However keep all tool receipts as YOU are allowed to claim so much back from HMRC. You fill the form in yourself and can claim back. Not sure what form it is or where you get it from (i am self employed) but I know some lads where I do some contracting for managed to claim money back. Think as long as you have receipts and proof you need them for your type of work they will pay out.