Natalie Don MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment of an extra £363,000 funding to support low income families in Renfrewshire to buy schools clothes through the School Clothing Grant.

The MSP for Renfrewshire North and West welcomed the move by the Scottish Government to increase the School Clothing Grant to provide families with £120 for each child attending primary school and £150 for those in secondary school.

Parents who receive qualifying benefits, such as Income Support, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax reduction or income related Child Tax Credits, can apply to Renfrewshire Council for the grant.

Natalie Don MSP said: “The cost of buying school clothes and shoes can be very challenging for many families in Renfrewshire North and West so I’m pleased to see the Scottish Government has increased the School Clothing Grant to alleviate some of the financial pressures and help to ensure children can be best prepared for the new school term.

“This improved support for low-income families is another clear example of the SNP building a social security system built on dignity, fairness and respect, while out-of-touch Tory politicians at Westminster are making inhumane decisions like removing the £20 Universal Credit uplift which is estimated to push more than 60,000 people in Scotland – including 20,000 children – into avoidable poverty.

“I encourage eligible parents in Renfrewshire to apply for the School Clothing Grant via myaccount.renfrewshire.gov.uk for the start of the new school year.”

An estimated 5,498 children and young people in Renfrewshire will benefit from the minimum School Clothing Grant.

Parents in Renfrewshire can apply to Renfrewshire Council for the School Clothing Grant if their child, or the child they care for, goes to a Renfrewshire primary, secondary or special school and they receive any one of the following benefits:

Income Support
Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based)
Employment & Support Allowance (Income Related)
Child Tax Credit with a gross annual income below £16,105 with no element of
Working Tax Credit
Maximum Child Tax Credit and maximum Working Tax Credit with annual income below £7,500
Support Under part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Universal Credit with a monthly earned income of not more than £625
Housing Benefit
Council Tax reduction
Working Tax Credit with an annual income under £16,105
Child Tax Credit with an annual income under £16,105