THE county council's cabinet has approved £500,000 in funding to help parents with the cost of school uniforms. 

Eligible parents are now to receive grants of £50, up from £25, for each primary school child and grants of £100, up from £35, for each secondary school child. 

Cllr Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council, said: “It’s so important that all eligible parents continue to apply for free school meals, including those with infant-age children – even though they now automatically get a free school meal.

"If they don’t apply, not only are they missing out on help with the cost of school uniforms, but their child’s school could also miss out on thousands of pounds of linked Pupil Premium funding from the Government.

“We know many families really benefit from subsidised school clothing, and that is why the council continues to fund school clothing grants despite the cuts to our budget, and why I am delighted with the decision taken today to increase those grants – we are fully committed to helping children and families who really need it."

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A county council spokesman said: "Any parents who are eligible for free school meals because of their financial situation are automatically eligible for the school clothing grants.

"However, many miss out by not applying – partly because all parents of children in reception, year 1 and year 2 automatically receive free school meals and assume they don’t need to apply."

People can visit tinyurl.com/mryymvpb to find out more about eligibility for free school meals and clothing grants and to apply.