Debate contribution: School Uniforms: Affordability

Debate contribution by Ms Cara Hunter on 5 March 2024.

MLA

Ms Cara Hunter

Party at the time

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Date

5 March 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

School Uniforms: Affordability

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4252500

Read the official Assembly record

Text

The SDLP supports the motion and amendment today, and we thank Members for tabling them. I am grateful that this issue is being discussed, as it has come up a significant number of times while canvassing for a number of elections We support the motion and the amendment. I recognise that we in the North continually lag behind on grant support for uniforms. When we look at our neighbours in Scotland, England and Wales, it is clear that they are on a better course on the issue than we are. In Scotland, there is a uniform grant of £124 at primary-school level, which rises to £150 at post-primary. In England, there is a flat rate of £150 per student at primary and post-primary level. In Wales, the grant stands at £125 for primary level, and there is a significant increase in year eight to £200 for years nine to 11, which, for any parent, is arguably the most expensive time, when they have to buy blazers, an entire new uniform, PE kits and more.

Yes.

Thank you. I thank the Member for his comment. The debate is an opportunity for the Minister, hopefully, to commit to ensuring that families who struggle so intensely with financial pressures will have a sense of relief. Hopefully, the Minister will action that today. At the end of the day, motions are well intentioned and well meaning, but, without backing and commitment from Departments, there is little that we can do. In the South, parents get €150 for primary-school students, which increases by 80% to €275 at post-primary level. In the North, the grant is, frankly, pathetic. We furnish our primary-school students with just £25·75, which, given inflation, will maybe buy a couple of polo shirts. That is embarrassing. We can do much better. It really is not enough. I, too, thank Save the Children, Action for Children and Barnardo's for continually pushing the impact of poverty experienced by children in the North. One in 10 children — I always push that figure — in the North of Ireland experiences poverty. When children go to the classroom, a place that should be exciting and dynamic and where they should have a hunger for learning, they should not be experiencing food poverty with nothing in their stomach. They certainly do not need the burden and fear of the cost of a uniform as well. That is why it is so good that we are here today to reflect on the survey outcomes from parents. It does not take long for us to realise why the issue is so significant and such urgency is needed. The fact that the survey reported that two fifths of parents in Northern Ireland have found themselves going into debt is truly shocking and deeply concerning. I hope that the Minister will agree that it should be a priority for the Department to alleviate the stress facing working families and all families. I reiterate that action is needed as soon as possible. The Assembly's Education Service does a fantastic job. One of the debates that it runs all the time is on 'School Uniforms or No School Uniforms?'. I welcome the Chair of the Education Committee's comments about listening to our young people. Every time I have been at one of those debates, the issue has been raised — from the mouths of children — that the negative is the cost. That is interesting: children in P3 and P4 are intelligent and aware of the burden that buying uniforms can put on their family. It is important to mention that. Through our policies, the SDLP wants to increase the school uniform grant; make the guidance in our schools statutory, as in other parts of these islands; allow more flexibility so that, as was mentioned by Members, off-brand items of clothing can be used, as they are often more affordable; make that statutory guidance include affordability and the practicality of uniforms from several suppliers; and regularly review cost and suppliers. The cost is just incredible. I remember the dread that you would feel as a teenager when you asked your mum or dad for new clothes. As a child, you know the pressure that that puts on your family.

Yes.

I thank the Member for his comment and wholeheartedly agree. That is where communities across Northern Ireland have stepped up by providing places where people can get recycled clothes and recycled school uniforms. That is really positive, but they should not have to do that.

Every child in the North wears a uniform, so we need to ensure that we provide the necessary grant support to support each and every child. I take the Member's point; he is spot on.

In conclusion, poverty impacts on families in each and every one of our communities. We are now at a stage at which families with two working incomes cannot afford school uniforms because they are struggling with bills. A cheaper alternative should be allowed so that children can focus on education and more money is kept in the pockets of families here.

848 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 09:46 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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