§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what increase there has been in the application for, or supply of, free school clothes.
§ Mr. NewtonSingle payments of supplementary benefit for distinctive school uniform or sports clothes are specifically excluded under regulation 6(2((b) of the Supplementary Benefit (Single Payments) Regulations 1981. This is because local education authorities have powers to help with clothing for school children. Payments of supplementary benefit for other types of clothing can be made in certain limited circumstances, provided the conditions laid down in the regulations are satisfied. No records are kept of any specific claims which may be for single payments for help with school clothing.