Eastwood calls for increase in Uniform Grant Threshold

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has called on the Department of Education and the Education Authority to support families in need during the pandemic by raising the eligibility threshold and increase the amount that parents and guardians receive in line with inflation.

Said the Foyle MP: “According to figures in a new report from the Irish League of Credit Unions, some families have to pay more than £1,000 to send a child to post-primary school.

“I have had several constituents come into my office who, year after year, struggle to afford the cost of school uniforms and PE gear but are just above the uniform grant threshold, including many working families.

“Families in receipt of the uniform grant receive £35 for primary and £73.50 for secondary for children on free school meals.

“Compare that to the £100 that families in Scotland receive.

“Some post-primary uniforms in Derry can vary depending on the uniform requirements, ranging from £40 to £75 for the school blazer alone.

“This exact requirement can deter some families from sending their children to the school that is the best fit educationally solely because of the expense that the family cannot afford year on year.

“I am calling on the Education Minister Michelle McIlveen and the Education Authority to work together to reassess the criteria of eligibility, increase the eligibility threshold and support working families who are struggling year after year.”

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