School uniform grants

DUNDEE has been handed £225,000 in additional funding to help families in need pay for their children’s school clothing.

The Scottish Government has distributed £6million across all local authorities under the new £100 national minimum school clothing grant.

Angus Council was given £99,000, while Perth & Kinross received £73,000.

An estimated 120,000 Scottish families are set to benefit from the scheme, which will open in time for the 2018-19 academic year.

Overall annual costs are expected to reach £12m, and the remaining 50% of the cost will be met by individual local authorities. Eligibility for the scheme will be determined at a local level.

Councillor Stephen McCabe, spokesman for Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), said: “School uniform can be a significant cost to families and Cosla are delighted that, together with Scottish Government, all councils will be introducing an increased minimum school clothing grant. Every child deserves the best chance in life and for too long poverty has blighted the life chances of too many of our children.

“Access to decent clothing is an important part of ensuring children have the best chance of getting the most from their education. It is only right we do the best we can to create a level playing field in terms of school uniform.”