Barnsley Council’s cabinet has voted to reduce the scope of its school uniform support scheme so that only children starting reception and those entering Year 7 will remain eligible.
What is changing
Under the scheme as operated until this month, families were issued vouchers to contribute towards purchase of new school uniform: £50 per primary-aged child and £100 per secondary-aged child. A total of 33,803 vouchers were issued to Barnsley households while the programme was running.
| Voucher type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Primary-aged child | £50 |
| Secondary-aged child | £100 |
| Total vouchers issued | 33,803 |
Reaction and concerns
The decision, made at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, has drawn criticism from Marie Tidball, the MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, who warned the narrower eligibility could leave many families worse off.
“Targeting support can make sense, but this proposal risks leaving thousands of families worse off. The council needs to be honest about who will lose out, what support will replace it, and why a scheme they previously celebrated as a success is now being scaled back so sharply,”
In her comments, the MP also urged the council to explain what alternative assistance will be available and questioned the timing of reductions while many households continue to feel financial pressure.
Local impact and what parents should know
Parents who previously received vouchers for children in other year groups will no longer qualify under the revised criteria. The council has not announced additional replacement measures in the source material. Families affected should check the council’s website or contact their local ward councillor for confirmation of current eligibility and any guidance on help with uniform costs.
- Scheme previously issued vouchers to 33,803 households.
- Amounts were £50 (primary) and £100 (secondary).
- Now limited to children in reception and Year 7.
The decision will be followed closely by opposition councillors, campaign groups and parents as the new eligibility takes effect. Any further announcements from Barnsley Council about mitigation measures or a revised support package will be reported as they become available.
