School clothing grant increases for new school term

Eligible parents and carers in Glasgow will benefit from a more than 50% increase in school clothing grant payment from the beginning of the new school term in August and will now receive £110 for each of their children who attend a council primary, secondary or additional support for learning school.

Elected members agreed to the rise at the last City Administration Committee - held before recess on Thursday 28 June.

Families in the city in receipt of benefit had previously received £52 per year to help towards school uniform costs and this was initially set to rise to £70 following a council budget decision in February.

However, following additional funding from the Scottish Government to introduce a minimum school clothing grant level of £100 nationally, the council decided to use the extra funds to help Glasgow families and offer £10 above the national requirement.

Local authorities have the discretion to set a level above the minimum.

Councillor Chris Cunningham, City Convener for Education, Skills & Early Years said: "This will help around 26,000 of our families and carers across the city who can find it a struggle at the start of the new term.

He added: "Evidence from the Glasgow Cost of the School Day project, the Poverty Truth Commission and from single parents working with One Parent Families Scotland, highlights how important the school clothing grant is in supporting low income families in Glasgow.

"The grants provide a real financial boost for those families in and at most risk of poverty, enabling children to participate at school and freeing up resources for other essentials such as food and energy bills."

For more information on criteria, how to apply and the school clothing grant process visit Clothing Grants and Free School Meals