Plaid Cymru Vale of Clwyd Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales - Working for the Vale of Clwyd

Concerns have been raised that some children might lose out on crucial free school meals as the Welsh Government works out new eligibility criteria following the roll out of Universal Credit.

Previously children were entitled to Free School Meals if they came from households that received certain benefits. However Universal Credit aims to combine all benefits into one payment.

PLAID CYMRU WELCOMES WELSH GOVERNMENT U-TURN ON SCHOOL UNIFORM GRANT CUT

Responding to the Welsh Government’s statement on the new grant for school uniforms (Pupil Development Grant – Access), Llyr Gruffydd AM and Plaid Cymru’s shadow education spokesperson said,

“I am pleased to see the Welsh Government u-turn on its awful decision to scrap the school uniform grant. which had originally caused worry and concern for families and left local authorities having to scrape budgets together to cover the shortfall.

Denbighshire County Council has voted to consider providing free sanitary products to every young woman and girl in schools across the county, following a motion put forward by the Plaid Cymru group on the Council this week.

Plaid Cymru’s motion called for free sanitary products to every young woman and girl in Denbighshire Schools to be provided in a way that respects their dignity and independence.

(i)  This Council notes that:

1. School Uniform Grants were provided to children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds as they entered Year 7
2. The value of the Grant was £105 per pupil
3. 156 pupils in Denbighshire received this Grant in 2017/18, and an average of 166 pupils have received it per year since 2009/10
4. The value of this school uniform grant for DCC last year (2017/18) was £16,380

This Council calls on Denbighshire County Council to provide female sanitary products for free to schools in Denbighshire, ensuring that girls are able to receive them in a way that respects their dignity and independence