Families get uniform help again

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Families on low income across Wales are to be given a £100 grant towards the cost of new secondary school uniforms.

It is the fourth year of the grant scheme from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Education Minister Jane Hutt said children in poverty should not be disadvantaged.

The one-off grant is available for all pupils entering Year 7 of secondary school in Wales who are eligible for free school meals.

It is also available to pupils in special schools, special needs resource base and pupil referral units in Wales who are 11 at the start of the school year, and who are also eligible for free school meals.

The all-Wales grant scheme was introduced in June 2005 and is targeted at pupils entering secondary school - the time when parents face the biggest cost of buying uniform in one go.

We want all children and young people in Wales to have access to experiences and opportunities and not to be disadvantaged by poverty Education Minister Jane Hutt

A total of £770,000 is being made available this year.

Funding of £750,000 was provided in 2005-06 and 2006-07 for the grant scheme. This increased to £770,000 in 2007-08 and 2008-09, said a Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson.

Ms Hutt said: "The financial pressures on many families have been even greater in the last year due to the economic downturn.

"We strive to promote equality and we are committed to tackling child poverty and improving the life chances of our children and young people.

"The assembly government recognises that poverty impacts on children and young people in different ways.

"We want all children and young people in Wales to have access to experiences and opportunities and not to be disadvantaged by poverty.

Eligible pupils

"Simple and cost effective measures like the School Uniform Grant, which ensure that all children can wear the correct uniform at school, can improve the life chances of children and families from less well off backgrounds."

Local authorities administer the school uniform grant scheme on the assembly government's behalf.

Families of eligible pupils will need to apply to their local authority.

Thirteen local authorities in Wales also offer their own grants and financial assistance towards the cost of school uniform which is provided to secondary school pupils only.

The amount of grant offered varies from one authority to another, as does the eligibility criteria.