School uniform grant pledge met across Scotland

Around 120,000 families in Scotland who are eligible for help towards school uniforms are now able to receive a grant of at least £100.

Every council in Scotland has delivered on the agreement which was reached before the start of the summer holidays.

Cosla has confirmed that all 32 local authorities have implemented an increase for school clothing grant payments to at least £100 while maintaining the eligibility criteria they had in place before the introduction of the grant.

Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney, said: “We know school uniforms can be a considerable cost for families and I am delighted to see that our partnership working with local authorities has resulted in all councils across Scotland paying the national minimum school clothing grant.

“This will help to relieve pressure for around 120,000 families, reduce costs of living and allow all children to attend school feeling comfortable, confident and ready to learn.”

Councillor Stephen McCabe, Cosla’s spokesperson for children and young people, said: “Local authorities are aware that many families face financial pressures in relation to their children’s education.

“It was for this reason that we reached agreement with the Scottish Government to provide a minimum clothing grant of at least £100 to assist with the cost of school uniforms.

“Local authorities are now delivering on this commitment which helps with some of the financial challenges families face.

“The National Minimum School Clothing Grant is one of a number of wider actions in the Scottish Government’s Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, which has the objective of increasing family incomes and reducing living costs.

“The level at which the minimum school clothing grant is set will next be reviewed in 2020 to ensure the amount paid remains in line with the cost of living.

“Local authorities across Scotland have a strong commitment to tackling poverty and inequality through their Community Planning Partnerships, and to directly involve their communities in doing so, and from summer 2019 will additionally start their public reporting on actions they have taken to reduce child poverty and what more they plan to do in the following year.”