School uniform row in Knowsley - Lib Dems stand up for parents and children.

12.00.00am GMT Wed 7th Jan 2009

Liberal Democrats in Knowsley have pledged to maintain uniform grant levels at the current rate of £30 (Primary) and £50 (Secondary) and will oppose a cut of £49,000 to the grants budget by the Labour run authority.

The pledge comes after news that Wirral's plans to axe its grants for school uniforms could be in jeopardy if parents challenged them in court.

A mother in Lancashire recently forced the County Council to reintroduce grants after a solicitor advised she had grounds for a judicial review which forced them into a u-turn.

The Lib Dems in Knowsley say they will oppose the cuts when the Council debates its 2009/10 budget in March.

Children and Families spokesperson Cllr Marjorie Sommerfield said: "At a time when those who most need help and support are facing extra pressures due to the recession we find it totally unacceptable that the uniform grants budget is to be cut by £49,000.

"During the current economic downturn it is the most vulnerable people in our communities that should be getting more help and support not less by cutting the level of grants available to them.

"The Lib Dems will not support these proposals and hope Knowsley's Labour group will reconsider the recommendations by the scrutiny committee before drawing up their final budget plans."