School uniform grants for low income families across Northern Ireland to be cut by £3m

The Department of Education is set to cut school uniform grants for low income families by up to £3m.

The BBC have reported that this 'would mean £1.9m is available in 2017/18, compared to £4.9m in 2016/17.'

The department told the BBC that it faced 'major financial pressures in 2017-18 if it is to operate within its budget'.

"Consequently options to reduce spending across all programme areas are being explored, including the clothing allowance (uniform grants), extended schools and the entitlement framework," it said.

About 98,000 pupils in Northern Ireland received a grant this school year.

The most that any individual pupil can receive is £78 which helps pay for uniform and PE kit for post-primary pupils.

An EA spokesperson told the BBC: "In its recent Resource Budget Allocation letter, the Department of Education has instructed the Education Authority to make certain spending cuts to achieve budget savings.

"These include a reduction of £3m for school uniform grants.

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said that the cut was wrong and would affect families already struggling.

Mr Durkan said: "School uniforms were to ensure equality - nobody being 'obviously' better off.

"Uniform grants were to ensure all could achieve this. To cut this is wrong - piling pressure on many already near breaking point.

"I want Stormont up and running again so people can be held accountable for decisions like this."

Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan branded the proposal an attack on children and families from deprived communities.

The Foyle MLA commented: "This proposed reduction is an attack on children and families from deprived communities and a further result of Tory austerity cuts.

"Since the Tories came into power we have seen over a billion cut from the North's block grant.

"The DUP in their support for Theresa May's Tory government has handed them a blank cheque for their cuts and a Tory Brexit.

"Sinn Féin have asked for urgent meetings with both the Education Authority and the Department and will be calling on them to reverse this cut immediately."