Struggling families to get school uniform cash

3.26.42pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th May 2009

Councillor Paula Belford: "this will make a big difference to local parents."

Liberal Democrat-run Islington Council is about to hand out cash for school uniform to families on low incomes in the borough as part of its package of help for residents in the recession.

Almost 700 children in Islington starting secondary school this September are eligible for the £150 council grant. The grant will be available to families on low incomes who are also registered for free school meals with a child due to start secondary school this year.

The grant will help families who receive the following benefits:

• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

• Child Tax Credit only (with an annual income of no more than £15,575 and not on Working Tax Credit)

• Employment and Support Allowance

Families that are eligible for the grant will be sent a cheque next month.

Cllr Paula Belford, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Children, comments:

"As a parent, I know that finding the money to pay for school uniforms is hard at the best of times. But it's even more difficult in the middle of a recession.

"That's why the Liberal Democrats have set aside this money to help Islington families finding it tough to pay for their children's school uniforms.

"But it's only because we have managed the Council's finances so well in the past that we can afford to help families struggling now when they need it the most. This is just one of the big package of help we are offering residents and I know this will make a big difference to local parents."