Debate contribution: Holiday Hunger and the High Cost of School Uniforms

Debate contribution by Mr Colin Crawford on 12 November 2024.

MLA: Mr Colin Crawford
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 12 November 2024
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Holiday Hunger and the High Cost of School Uniforms
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4658809

Text

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank my party colleagues for bringing this important motion to the House. It is absolutely right that the Assembly addresses the significant impact of any child going hungry. That should not happen today in Northern Ireland or, indeed, anywhere else in the world. The challenges are not just statistics — many statistics have been mentioned this afternoon — but represent the daily struggles of families trying to provide for their children in a world that feels increasingly overwhelming. As has been cited, 'The National Parent Survey 2024', recently compiled by Parentkind, states that one in five parents struggled to afford the cost of sending their child to school, and that, over the previous 12 months, 41% of the parents surveyed had rationed their heating for financial reasons. The reality is that, when we delve deeper into the issue, we see that it is not just the child who can go hungry; in some instances, parents and carers skip meals to ensure that their child is fed. As Danny Baker did, I put on record my thanks and pay tribute to all those in community initiatives and groups who, during holidays, not only provide activities, including educational events, but offer healthy meals to children the length and breadth of Northern Ireland. Hundreds of families are grappling with the anxiety of providing basic necessities: food, shelter and adequate clothing for their children.
I will.
I take that on board, and, as our good friend the Chairman of the Education Committee said, there needs to be cross-departmental working, but it will take someone to start it. We are here to ask the Education Minister for an update, and I thank him for being in his place. Holiday hunger is a profound problem that looms over all our communities. Far too many children do not have access to nutritious meals outside the school term. That is leading many children to miss out on opportunities, in both the short term and long term, and they are more likely to have poor health, educational and well-being outcomes than their more well off peers. It is imperative that we act. We need comprehensive support systems to provide meals during the school holidays. That means expanding the holiday food programmes, enhancing community initiatives and ensuring that no child goes hungry simply because school is not in session. In addition to addressing holiday hunger, we cannot overlook the burden of school uniform costs. As we know, in Northern Ireland, uniforms are often mandatory and can place a heavy financial strain on families. The average cost of a school uniform can leave parents choosing between basic needs and sending their children to school in the appropriate attire. This is not just an economic issue; it is a matter of social equality and dignity. We must advocate for policies that alleviate that financial pressure. Let us not allow a piece of clothing to determine a child's sense of worth or belonging. Those polices include exploring options for funding grants, creating second-hand uniform exchanges and encouraging schools to adopt more flexible and affordable uniform policies. No child should feel different or disadvantaged because of their family's financial situation. Education should be about inclusion not exclusion. Members, you will be glad to hear that I am not going to go through every Member's contribution. The two Members who spoke previously did that so well. Thank you, Members, for the nature of the debate. I also thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber, staying for the duration of the debate and replying to Members' contributions.
I will.
Absolutely. I hope that the Minister will take that report on board and deliver its recommendations. We owe it to our children to create an environment where they can focus on their education and enjoy their childhood without the overshadowing stress of hunger or financial hardship.

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

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