Debate contribution: School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill: Final Stage
Debate contribution by Mr Gary Middleton on .
- MLA
- Mr Gary Middleton
- 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 5175932
Read the official Assembly record
Text
On this, the Final Stage of the School Uniforms Bill, I take the opportunity to reaffirm my support for the legislation and to commend the Minister of Education and his officials for showing leadership and bringing forward tangible action to try to make a difference to people in our communities. One of the key commitments of my party was to make a difference for working families. The Assembly and Executive will be judged on what they do and what they bring forward to try to make a difference, and I am pleased that the Minister has brought forward something that will benefit not only my constituents but parents and children right across our communities. The Bill has been the subject of scrutiny at the Committee and in the Chamber. What we have now is a practical piece of legislation that will bring greater fairness, transparency and accountability to school uniform policy across Northern Ireland. The Bill will enable change for the better, whether that is the meaningful consultation with pupils and parents and the requirement that policies are reviewed regularly, or the guidelines that will, hopefully, address key concerns around affordability and practicality, highlighting the importance of access to clothing banks and uniform lending schemes, tackling the issue of exclusive supplier arrangements or, indeed, addressing issues around the eligibility of the uniform grant.
No, thank you. The issue has been well debated. This is legislation that will make a difference. It is right that it now proceeds without delay. I thank the Education Minister for taking action. It is about seeing fair and consistent policy right across Northern Ireland and supporting those families who need it most. It respects school autonomy whilst ensuring that no child is left behind because of what they wear. I am pleased to support the legislation. I believe that it will make a difference, and I urge all Members to unanimously pass the legislation.
319 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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