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Barnardos: Government must increase Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for low-income families immediately
05.07.22. Barnardos children’s charity is today calling on the Government to increase the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for low-income families to ensure children can go back to school with suitable uniforms and shoes. On July 11th Back to School Allowance payments will be paid to all qualifying families. This year, due to cost of living increases, families will need the payment more than ever.
Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said: “Our staff are reporting that families are more concerned about back to school costs more than ever. Parents are telling Barnardos that they are feeling stressed and are worried they might not be able to afford clothes and shoes their children require for school, as they are forced to prioritise daily essentials like food, electricity and heat. Despite the best efforts of parents, children will feel anxiety and stress in the home.
“Cost of living increases have already placed huge pressures on the families we support. Staff have repeatedly warned that back to school costs will place families at breaking point.
“We know that the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance does not fully cover back to school costs. Barnardos believes the Government needs to urgently increase the allowance for families to alleviate the current struggles and the hardships they are facing. It is vital they do so now, so that families can get the benefits and ensure all children can go back to school with suitable uniforms and shoes. Waiting until the budget in September is simply too late.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Barnardos Press Office: 01 7080442 / 086 0445966
Twitter: @Barnardos_IRL