Criticism of decision to scrap school uniform grant

A DECISION to scrap a £700,000 school uniform grant designed to help the poorest students has come under fire.

Shadow Education Spokesman Darren Millar AM said the plan to axe the Welsh Government cash was a further example of “the ongoing bonfire of education grants”.

But a Welsh Government spokesman said cheaper garments and more plentiful supplies had rendered the assistance unnecessary.

The assistance, which is available to pupils who qualify for free school meals, was used 5,500 times last year but will be cut from September.

Mr Millar said: “This is a sad indictment of Labour’s mismanagement of its resources, and will hit the poorest pupils the hardest. For families on low incomes, school uniforms are a significant expense and this grant helped thousands of pupils last year.

“Just days ago, the Welsh Government was forced to find £14m to cover another scrapped education grant, and this is yet another example of the ongoing bonfire of education grants.”

The grant is applied for through local authorities, and the Welsh Government says resources are being “prioritised” to support schools and social care.

A spokesman said: “Since the introduction of the grant, which was mainly for learners entering Year 7, school uniforms have reduced significantly in price and their availability has increased. We have also worked with school governing bodies to encourage schools to follow Welsh Government guidance on keeping uniform costs low.

“It is now very much for local authorities to deliver on their priorities for schools, taking account of their responsibilities and government guidance on school uniform and appearances policies.”