THE NUMBER of school pupils requiring clothing grants from Glasgow City Council is at its highest in six financial years.

A freedom of information (FOI) request submitted to the local authority has revealed that the number of successful school clothing grants since 2014/15 has risen from 16,838 to 20,261 in 2019/2020.

There was a slight dip in 2015/16 and 2016/17 with 15,839 and 15,163 children benefitting from the scheme respectively.

The FOI also disclosed the number of applications submitted to the local authority with 18,185 requests for funding to buy uniform in 2014/15. Inquiries had risen to 21,735 by 2019/2020.

Families on low incomes may be eligible to receive a school clothing grant – an award given annually to assist with the cost of purchasing essential school items.

A council spokeswoman confirmed that some applicants may not be successful if the application did not fit all the criteria.

To be eligible children must ­attend a Glasgow school, live within Glasgow and receive benefits ­although there are some exceptions to the rule.

The FOI also revealed that some clothing grants have been awarded to parents and carers outwith Glasgow to help buy uniform for children who attend The Dance School of Scotland in Knightswood and Glasgow School of Sport.

A document confirmed that four grants were approved to residents in Ayrshire, one in Fife , Dundee, Edinburgh and two in Falkirk this financial year.

Parents from these areas are entitled to the grant because their child is attending a Glasgow school.

Councillor Chris Cunningham, City Convener for education, skills and early years said: “In 2018 we more than doubled the school clothing grant with eligible families entitled to £110 per child who attend a council primary, secondary or additional support for learning school.

“Evidence from the cost of the School Day project, the Poverty Truth Commission and from single parents working with One Parent Families Scotland, highlights how important the school clothing grant is in supporting low income families in Glasgow.

“The grants provide a real financial boost for those families in and at most risk of poverty, enabling children to participate at school and freeing up resources for other essentials such as food and energy bills.”

Local schools will also help families struggling in ways which are non patronising by hosting uniform events.

The council has streamlined the grant process so that it’s easier for families to automatically be paid if they are in receipt of council tax rebates and housing benefit.

If their circumstances don’t change then parents and carers get the grant automatically the following year.