Demand for school uniform banks in Cambridgeshire remains high during cold snap
More than £2 million has been pledged to tackle poverty in the county
Families in Cambridgeshire are being told to make the most of school uniform banks during and after a cold snap.
The county council has agreed to investing £2.2 million in anti-poverty measures for the 2024-25 year as part of its budget proposals, which will be put forward to full council next month.
One of those measures is Community Uniform Wardrobe Projects in the Fenland towns of Wisbech, March, Chatteris and Whittlesey where items such as school blazers can be donated.
'There are a significant number of families in need'
Councillor Michael Atkins, vice-chair of the county council's children and young people's committee, has seen demand for this and the council's other services increase.
"Some families have been going through this period (cold snap) without trouble but I think there are a significant number in need," he said.
"We see that through, for example, eligibility for free school meals with a very high increase in the number of children coming forward.
"A school uniform bank is an opportunity if people have uniform they no longer need and want to donate them, that can be dropped off and if there are particular items parents need for their kids, they can go along to the libraries and help themselves to whatever's useful."
Last year, research by the Children's Society found parents spend an average of £422 per year on secondary school uniform and £287 for primary school children.
At the time, A spokesperson for the Department for Education said it published statutory guidance in 2021 "to ensure uniform costs are reasonable for families".
Demand for help will stay
Cllr Atkins believes after the cold weather eases off, there will still be a need for items.
"The current situation will persist for some time; we're not seeing much prospect of these things going away," he added.
"It's not a service everyone needs but I think for those that do need it, it can make a difference; it's expensive to get a full set of school uniform.
"Even just providing a couple pairs of trousers and polo shirts can make a difference to families who are on a tight budget.
"We want parents to make use of this service; they can turn up whenever, don't have to fill in lots of paperwork or explain why they need things and we do see a high turnaround of items."