Review of school meal and uniform grant criteria criticised

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has criticised the Department of Education’s review of the School Meals and Uniform Grant Criteria as ‘massively underwhelming’ and ‘deeply out of touch’ with the realities facing struggling families across the North.

The Department has confirmed a minor uplift in the earnings threshold for eligibility from £15,000 to £15,390 for families on Universal Credit.

Mr Durkan commented: "This increase is nothing short of insulting. It still remains below the £16,190 threshold which applied under the outdated Tax Credits system and is well behind what is available elsewhere. In England, it was announced that from next year onwards all families on Universal Credit are now entitled to free school meals. That’s the level of ambition and fairness we should be aiming for here.

“The SDLP has been calling for a meaningful uplift in the threshold that takes inflation into consideration. The expansion of eligibility so that all low-income families can access support. And in the longer term a universal primary school meals programme, similar to the successful Scottish model.

Mr Durkan continued: "A parent working full-time on minimum wage earns just over £20,000 and yet under this system, they're excluded from receiving support. These are working families already facing impossible choices between food, bills and uniforms. The Executive’s promise to ‘do what matters most’ rings hollow with a meagre £390 increase."

READ NEXT: Féile to host Derry premiere of powerful new Gaza film

"This is not just a matter of fairness, it’s a question of child wellbeing. With child poverty rising, this decision is not just disappointing but neglectful. The SDLP will continue to push for real reform that puts children’s needs first and ensures every family has the support they need to get through the school year with dignity.”