Parents across England are facing a cash crisis this September as an increasing number of local councils pull of out a school uniform scheme designed to support families on low incomes.
The School Uniform Grant. which was introduced in the 1980s to help parents cover back to school costs, has been disappearing in recent years due to funding rows between local authorities and the government.
Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Kent are amongst those that have pulled out of the scheme, while Sutton and Richmond in Greater London have also pulled the plug on the benefit.
As a result, families have been left unable to claim the support - which could amount to £150 per child.
Mirror reader Leanne told us she's been left in limbo over whether she'll qualify for any support for the next school year.
"Boroughs such as Solihull, West Midlands, and Coventry and Birmingham city councils refer parents back and forth to individual schools. The school respond respectively with an outright rejection and councils have scrapped it too," she said.
Another mum said she's worried about how she will afford the extra £40 come September.
"Last year I got £40 but this year I won't get a penny," she said.
"I am a parent struggling as it is. My daughter's uniform costs £180.00 as everything has to have the right logo and i don't know where I'm going to get this money from before September."
As it currently stands, the councils listed below are still offering the grant.
However, some have scrapped it in exchange for other support schemes with local charities instead.
In Durham, councils have joined forces with the School Benevolent Fund to give parents £35 towards shoes and £35 towards winter coats for school pupils.
If your local authority is not listed below, it's still worth getting in touch to find out your options.
Is my local council still offering the school uniform grant?
Bolton - payout varies, however scheme is only for pupils in year seven or nine
Greenwich - grants range from £40 to £100 depending on age
Hackney - £100 for pupils going into year seven
Hammersmith and Fulham - £31 for children aged four or seven and £79 for children aged 11 or 14
Haringey - £60 for pupils going into year seven
Hounslow - £15 for primary and £60 for children in year seven or nine
Islington - £150 for pupils going into year seven
Sandwell - £20 for a child starting in reception class or £25 for a child at an eligible secondary school in years seven to 11
Southwark - £45 for pupils going into year seven
South Gloucestershire - 25.00 if your child is already in school and £50.00 if they are transferring schools
Tower Hamlets - £110 for pupils going into year seven
York - £100 for pupils starting year seven or £50 for pupils starting years eight, nine, or ten
Where has the scheme been scrapped?
Barnsley
Bradford
Cambridgeshire
Cheshire West and Chester
Central Bedfordshire
Devon
Dorset
Essex
Hampshire
Harrow
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Leicester
Newcastle
Northumberland
Richmond
Rochdale
Rotherham
Slough
Somerset
Southend-on-Sea
Stockton-on-Tees
Surrey
Sutton
Warwickshire
Wirral
Worcestershire
Is the scheme available outside England?
In Wales, the Government offers a Pupil Development Grant (PDG) instead.
Applications for this tend to open in early July and each grant is worth £125 or £200 if the child is in year 7.
The money can be spent on anything from school uniforms to educational trips and equipment. The closing date is 31 December 2020.
In Scotland, the School Clothing Grant is now compulsory - with all councils required to offer a minimum of £100.
Worried about bills? Get the latest money advice, news and help straight to your inbox sign up at mirror.co.uk/email
