Lyttle says families let down by DUP and Sinn Fein as uniform budget cut revealed

The Education Authority said the DE had instructed them to cut the amount given to low income families by £3 million due to “major financial pressures” in its budget. Mr Lyttle, who was Deputy Chair of the Education Committee before the collapse of the Assembly, said the lack of an Executive had exacerbated the issue.

“There are mounting pressures in education, from the potential cut in special educational needs provision to transport matters, but it would be an absolute disgrace to see any reduction in the school uniform grant. The cost of school uniforms is already difficult for many families to meet and this move could place them further in hardship.

“In my role as Deputy Chair, I called the Education Minister to the Committee to warn him directly about the impending crisis which was possible down the line due to issues with the education budget.

“The families affected by this matter have been let down by the DUP and Sinn Fein, who refuse to form an Executive despite these mounting issues. If this is not a priority for those parties, then families who benefited from this grant will be left as casualties.”