FAMILIES in Glasgow are worried about rising school costs, they told government representatives at a Southside school.
Scotland's finance secretary and social justice secretary visited St Bernard's Primary School in Nitshill yesterday, as applications for the School Age Payment opened.
Kate Forbes and Shona Robison visited the institution to remind the public that they can now apply for a one-off payment of £267.65 per child to help with costs of preparing for school.
Parents say their children are being impacted by rising living costs and lack of information over grant availability.
Mother-of-four, Nadine Keenan, said: "Last year, I applied for the Best Start Grant School Age Payment and that is for when they start primary school, so that really helps with the blazers, skirts, trousers.
“But, I think quite a lot of people are confused if it’s income-based and also if you are only able to apply for it once or twice. I don’t think there is a lot of information out there about it."
Christina Griffith, who lives in Glasgow with her family, said: “I received [the grant] for my son Harris and it was a great help.
“Because I have other children in school, it was helpful to help with polo shirts, shirts, shoes, everything."
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Nadine added: “Also, we are expecting every cost to rise. Even for school trips, they are going to have to take into consideration the fuel costs, so the parents are going to get hit with that.
“It is great that they take the child on a trip, but we are going to have to provide them with a packed lunch, so there is the added cost of food, the fuel."
Lynne Smith, whose two children go to St Bernard's, said: "Spending money for them as well - you want to not give them enough because their friend might want something, it’s peer pressure.”
Christina added: "Even on dress-up days, they always say the kids don’t need to dress up but you don’t want to send them without a costume, you want them to feel included.”
Forbes emphasised that the scheme aims to help tackle child poverty and support parents who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
She said: "This is very much going to be a help for them, it's important to ensure that there is uptake.
"We've had conversations with the headteacher here about having parents' evenings, workshops that raise awareness of the different schemes and grant support that is available.
"We've made the system as simple as possible, but ultimately, it's about parents knowing about it."
Mothers, however, still feel like the support they receive is not enough.
Nadine said: “I just feel that the costs are rising on everything and nothing is being done about it, it’s so frustrating.
“I’ve got four children and you really need to budget for each one of them - see what you can and cannot do.
"I also don’t want to be saying ‘you can’t go to the trip because I can’t afford it’.
“I am scared to take the car out because if you put the car engine on and you have already spent so much fuel.
“I have noticed a big difference because I have to commute to work. I can’t take the kids down to the beach for a trip because I need that fuel to go to work the next day.
“They are being impacted, because you are trying to hold back on things that you know aren’t necessary.
“I don’t like it, it’s scary being a parent just now.”
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