UNIFORM COST FEAR

Pupils not going to school because parents can’t afford new outfits

PUPILS are failing to turn up at school because parents are embarrassed at being unable to afford replacing outgrown uniforms, campaigners say.

Families are also using loan sharks to finance uniforms amid mounting calls for more to be done to tackle the cost of kitting out kids for school.

Details of the desperation faced by some people emerged after Education Minister Michelle Mcilveen announced an increase to the school uniform grant. Naomi Mcburney from the group said the grant increase is welcome but cautioned it does not address the “root cause” of the problem which is that uniforms are “too expensive”.

She said the grants are only available to people on “very low” incomes but they are dealing with many who are “working poor” and not eligible for help. Ms Mcburney said: “The

Minister urging schools to regard guidance on things like ‘affordability’ simply isn’t working.

“School uniforms need to be available from high street retailers and we urgently need to move away from the overuse of branded items that push up the cost for all households.”

Paul Doherty, who runs the Foodstock foodbanks in West Belfast, said he has come across the use of loan sharks by parents who cannot afford uniforms. He added: “The pressure on people is just getting worse.

“The increase in the grant is a step forward, but sure a blazer is £90 so it doesn’t even cover that.”

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