Debate contribution: School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill: Final Stage

Debate contribution by Mr David Brooks on 13 October 2025.

MLA

Mr David Brooks

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

13 October 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Executive Committee Business

Heading

School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill: Final Stage

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5175882

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I do not intend to draw my remarks out for too long, because it would be repetition of a lot of what has been said at previous stages. Nevertheless, I am pleased to support and welcome the School Uniforms Bill at Final Stage. This is a positive moment for the Executive, the Minister and the House but, most importantly, for families across Northern Ireland. It goes without saying that I do not share some of the undue pessimism or critique from some of my Committee colleagues. The Bill represents exactly the kind of practical, people-focused legislation that our communities expect from the Assembly, and it addresses real issues faced by ordinary families in a sensible and balanced way. For many parents across Northern Ireland, the cost of school uniforms has been a growing concern. We have all heard from constituents who have struggled each August to meet those costs, and we have heard some examples at the Committee. The one that sticks out for me is the girl — I met her again, in another context, more recently — who felt that she could not engage in school sports because of the prohibitive cost of the uniform. We all see that kind of thing as unacceptable and want to address that.

Yes.

I thank the Member for his point. The point about trousers is, no doubt, applicable to his argument, but I am not sure that it is the most applicable argument to the girl about whom I was speaking. That is more about the fact that she had joined the school the year before and felt that the cost would be prohibitive to her parents given that she only had a couple of years left in the school. That was more about the cost of a PE outfit than about trousers. The Member's point about trousers is on the record, and we can debate that. I have confidence about the Minister's intention, which he appears not to have. I know what the Minister wants the Bill to do, and I am sure that the guidelines will see to that. What the Bill achieves, through greater transparency, affordability and fairness, is a system that works better for everyone. It does not seek to remove local decision-making from our schools, as outlined by the Minister. Instead, it ensures that every school, in setting its uniform policy, must consider the financial realities that families face. The Minister has been clear that schools will face consequences if they do not and that he has every intention of giving those directions where necessary. Some, I understand, have reservations about what the guidelines will say and bring. However, as I said, I am sure that the Minister will show the same drive and determination to make family-focused improvements as he has done on childcare, curriculum and SEN education, and that he will continue to deliver change across the priorities that this party outlined to the public at election time. The DUP has always believed in supporting our schools to make the right choice for their pupils, while ensuring that the policy serves the wider community fairly and responsibly. The Bill achieves that balance. A school uniform should be a source of pride, not pressure. It should bring young people together and not highlight difference. By keeping uniforms affordable and accessible, we make sure that every child can stand on the same starting line, ready to learn and achieve. I pay tribute, therefore, to the Minister for the determined way in which he has steered the legislation through its various stages, and how he has challenged the Committee and Assembly not to dither or delay but to advance as soon as possible, so that families can see the benefits of the legislation, while allowing schools and local businesses adequate time to prepare. Good governance is not about grand gestures or big speeches but about delivering practical results for the people we serve. I trust that that is what we are about to complete our part in doing today and that the outcome will be positive. It shows that the Assembly, in particular with a DUP Minister, can, through common-sense politics, deliver common-sense solutions for local families. I am pleased to support the Bill and commend the Minister and his departmental team on what, I believe, will be the passing of the School Uniforms Bill today. It will be good and fair legislation, and it is proof that the Assembly works for all the people of Northern Ireland.

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

Assessment

Not flagged

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:28 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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