School Uniforms

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:31 pm on 9 July 2019.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 1:31, 9 July 2019

Well, Llywydd, I thank Vikki Howells for that, and particularly for making the point that the PDG—access fund is extended beyond the scope of schools themselves, to youth clubs, for example, for funding for kit and equipment. And the Welsh Government, of course, is anxious to publicise the fund. On 10 June, we launched an integrated communications campaign, aimed at raising awareness amongst parents and carers. In the month since that campaign began, the PDG—access website page is the fourth most popular page on the entire Welsh Government website. And we want to do more, working with local authorities, to raise awareness of the grant. 

Let me just quote one reply that we received as a result of the campaign. It was from a parent who said,

'I've just had a letter telling me that my seven-year-old is entitled to the help for school uniform in year 3 this September. I've been worrying for weeks about the cost of uniform. This relieves so much financial pressure for me and the worry that I've been experiencing.'

We want more parents to know about the scheme and to be in the same position as the person I've just quoted to you.