Labour and SNP clash over North Ayrshire clothing grant

This summer was the first that families eligible for the school clothing grant could apply for the financial support for any children in early years.

North Ayrshire Labour say they proposed the cash offering in March and saw it unanimously approved by the full council.

At the full council meeting next Wednesday, September 18, party members will seek the council’s support to continue the clothing grant into next year.

However, the SNP administration say they set up the fund and are committed to tackling poverty.

Joe Cullinane

Labour group leader Joe Cullinane said: “We are delighted that 625 children have benefited from the early years clothing grant introduced by Labour councillors.

“Times are tough and both the UK and Scottish Government’s are warning of more tough times ahead. Just last week, the Scottish Government scrapped their pledge to introduce universal free school meals to all primary school children.

“The Labour group understand that families are struggling. That means it is more important than ever that local politicians are committed to using any levers at their disposal to ease the pressure on households. 

“North Ayrshire Labour councillors have always done so. We don’t sit idle, managing decline, waiting for national government to step in like the current SNP administration are doing. 

“Whether it be the massive investment we’ve made in council housing, our period poverty initiative or our work to reduce the cost-of-the-school day, we have a record of doing what we can to support families and we hope the council will back us to continue the early years clothing grant into next year.”

Council leader, Cllr Marie Burns, hit back at the opposition party.

Marie Burns

She said; “Yet another attempt at petty point-scoring by the Labour group. The fund that Cllr Cullinane is proposing to use is a fund created by this administration. 

“Tackling poverty and the cost of living crisis is the number one priority for this council and measures such as the energy grant, travel passes and funding of food larders confirm this. 

“We have also had a number of meetings with local partners, charities and people living with poverty who have been willing to share their views and experiences with us and tell us how best we can support them.

"Labour would know this if their three councillors hadn’t walked out of the first meeting and chosen not to attend the others. 

“They have time to write press releases and trawl through social media to see what other councillors are saying but are not prepared to give any time to listen to our communities.”