Council school uniform support could be scaled back

A Reform-led council is proposing to scale back its school uniform voucher scheme to "target financial support where it makes the biggest difference".

The Barnsley Council scheme was introduced last year and all pupils in compulsory education were eligible for the discounts. Study support packs were also offered to children in year 11.

If the amendments are approved, only children starting primary or secondary school would be able to claim the vouchers and the study support packs would be discontinued.

Council leader William Brown said the changes would allow the authority to "use taxpayers' money wisely", but opposition parties argued they would leave thousands without support.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, more than 33,800 uniform vouchers were issued to Barnsley families, totalling £2.5m.

This was alongside 2,700 GCSE study support packs, totalling £150,000.

The support offered was part of the council's £2.8m Great Childhoods Ambition and aimed to help remove barriers to school attendance while saving families money.

The vouchers can be used for branded uniform or unbranded clothes in line with the school's uniform policy.

Support packs include essential study equipment, revision resources and wellbeing support.

In a report, the council said the standardised support packs "did not provide best value" as schools and pupils had different needs.

Under the new plans, the council said about 5,500 children were expected to benefit each year, with vouchers of £50 for primary pupils and £100 for secondary pupils.

James Higginbottom, leader of Barnsley Labour, estimated about 28,000 families would miss out.

"The school uniform grant scheme was fully funded for the 2026/27 academic year, as part of Barnsley Labour's balanced budget," he wrote on social media.

"To remove it now shows us exactly what Reform's priorities are: taking away vital cost of living support for thousands of Barnsley families."

Barnsley Liberal Democrats said the plans would hit the poorest families hardest, while Barnsley Green Party said reducing the support would "undermine" the council's aim of improving school attendance.

"Children grow every year. They need uniforms every year," the Green Party said.

"We urge the council to do the right thing: support our 33,000 local children to get the education they deserve."

The proposal also sets out plans to move away from one-off payments and instead offer more targeted and flexible support through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund.

This national fund provides local authorities with grant funding to support low-income households facing unexpected financial emergencies and to build financial resilience.

Brown added: "Our approach also means we can spend taxpayers' money wisely, use external funding where possible and focus support where it will have the biggest impact."

The cabinet is set to discuss the proposals at a meeting on Wednesday.

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