Hull to give Year 7 pupils on free school meals £50 uniform vouchers

Hull City Council will provide £50 uniform vouchers to Year 7 pupils who receive free school meals, the council announced, with the payments funded through the government’s Household Support Fund.

More than 1,000 students are set to receive the cash help, council officials said, with the vouchers to be distributed to families before the October half term. The increase to £50 is £10 more than in previous years.

Council leader Mike Ross said the decision reflected awareness of continuing cost-of-living pressures. "We are absolutely aware that we are still in a cost of living crisis, so we hope these increased grants can help make a difference," he said. Ross added that the council knew "£50 won't cover every item of uniform," and said officials had called on the government to provide additional support to local authorities so they can do more for children from low-income families.

The council described the vouchers as targeted support to households with incoming secondary school pupils who are eligible for free school meals. The payments will be issued in advance of the school half term to help families with upfront clothing costs.

The funding comes from the Household Support Fund, a government-administered programme that local authorities can use to offer short-term help to households struggling with essential costs. The council did not give a precise figure for the total amount of money being distributed but said the plan would benefit "more than 1,000" eligible students.

Local officials have previously increased similar awards in response to concerns about the financial strain of school-related expenses. Ross told councillors that full council had asked officers to review the level of funding for uniforms before the decision to raise the voucher amount.

Community groups and schools have highlighted the burdens that uniform costs impose on low-income families, particularly at the start of the school year. Hull City Council said the measure is intended to reduce immediate financial pressure on families and to support children’s readiness for school.

The council reiterated its request to central government for more resources to allow local authorities to expand assistance. Officials said they would monitor take-up and the effectiveness of the vouchers and report back to councillors on outcomes.

The announcement follows similar local authority measures across the country, where councils have used designated household support funding to offer one-off grants, food vouchers and other short-term aid amid ongoing household budget pressures. Hull’s move aims to ensure that incoming secondary pupils from low-income households have at least partial help with the cost of uniforms ahead of the new term.