Debate contribution: School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill: Extension of Committee Stage

Debate contribution by Mrs Michelle Guy on 7 April 2025.

MLA

Mrs Michelle Guy

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

7 April 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Committee Business

Heading

School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill: Extension of Committee Stage

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4891188

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you for the intervention. It is reasonable for you to say that. You are correct that there did not seem to be an appetite for that, so today's outcome is peculiar to say the least. You were, however, consistent and raised objections. Others did not, but have since changed their mind for some reason. They can explain that. Let me be clear that 3 December is a limit, not a target. We can extend this stage only once, so it is a hard limit. The Committee took advice and considered a timeline that included all the phases of a good Committee Stage, Assembly recesses and other relevant factors, many of which are outside of our control. The Committee Stage provides the first opportunity for stakeholders from across the public, private and voluntary sectors, not to mention parents and schoolchildren, to take the time and space to consider the Bill as introduced and bring their perspective to the Committee. The Bill addresses matters that are significant and long-standing for parents and children across Northern Ireland. The Committee supports the general principles of the Bill and welcomed its introduction. We are committed, however, to the Bill being delivered right, rather than fast, and being given due consideration by the Assembly throughout the legislative process. The Committee Stage is the sole stage of the legislative process that is not in the hands of the Minister. As a Committee, we are obliged to ensure that we consider the Bill's provisions and their effects as fully as possible and set aside sufficient time to do so. My priority, and that of my colleague Mr Mathison, is to get this right for families. I am genuinely concerned that a condensed Committee Stage will result in our letting them down. I will add a few words in my capacity as an Alliance MLA. The Alliance Party supports and has long campaigned for legislation to make school uniforms more affordable. It is essential that we get the legislation right so that we ensure that families feel the difference in their pockets. That is where my focus is; not on press releases or optics, but on delivering effective legislation for families. At the most fundamental level, I want assurances that, once the Bill's provisions come into force, parents will see prices becoming more affordable. That will be the very clear test of success or failure. It remains to be seen whether the Bill as it stands will have that effect. That is why proper Committee scrutiny of the Bill is essential, and that includes giving young people and families the time to give their views and be heard by the Committee. We need time to take evidence from stakeholders and to engage with departmental officials. We need time to consider the cost cap mechanism and which legal requirements will ensure that it is enforceable. The Committee has been clear that the extension is not a target, but instead provides a window that will allow it time to carry out proper scrutiny. We will scrutinise the legislation in good faith, with every intention of expediting our work as quickly as possible. Nodding through a Bill, when genuine concerns have been raised about its effectiveness within the Committee and externally by stakeholders, would be poor governance. Of course, I will not stand in the way of speeding up this process. I want it done as quickly as possible, but only as long as there are commitments that proper scrutiny can be ensured, and I have not been provided with that assurance. Maybe Sinn Féin and the DUP can give that assurance. It is worth repeating that the DUP has held the Education portfolio for 10 years. The issue of unaffordable school uniforms is not a new one, yet it has not done anything about it over that time. In fact, the DUP, like Sinn Féin, was happy to collapse this place, meaning that legislation such as this could not progress. Therefore, we will continue to vote for good governance and making an impact for families.

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

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:20 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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