A COUNCIL that asks parents to fill in a 16-page form for school uniform grants has defended its practices.

Applicants for the clothing allowance, worth £100, are also required to provide nine pieces of supporting evidence.

The revelation is included in a new report on hidden costs in the education system.

The Child Poverty Action Group Scotland (CPAG) says complex forms are a “barrier” for low-income families and could mean some children miss out on entitlements.

But Moray Council dismissed the criticism, telling The National that the application process, which was brought in last year, has led to great take-up of the statutory grant.

A spokesperson said: “The school uniform clothing grant application uses the same form which residents would use to claim housing benefit, council tax reduction or free school meals.

“We ask that residents fill out the form so that we can then assess which benefits they are entitled to. This could mean multiple awards from one application form, which an applicant may not realise they’re entitled to.

“In fact the uptake for free school meals and clothing grants has increased since we introduced the combined form last year.”

However, CPAG, which is campaigning to lower the cost of the school day, says other councils have simplified the application process for struggling parents. In Glasgow, the council uses data already held on families receiving housing benefit to increase the number of youngsters allocated the clothing cash, which helps to pay for trousers, ties, shoes and more.

Sara Spencer, manager of CPAG’s Cost of the School

Day project, said: “The process for applying for financial entitlements like clothing grants and free meals vary from local authority to local authority.

“What we know across the board is that there isn’t the perfect uptake from every family eligible to apply.

“Difficult forms are absolutely a barrier to claiming anything.

“These entitlements can make a really big difference.”

In her report, Dr Morag Treanor of Stirling University found difficulties in affording school uniforms – particularly shoes – is “a constant feature of life” for low-income families in work, who are not entitled to school clothing grants.

And because the sum given does not cover the full £129.50 cost of the average school kit, the same is true for recipients.

Trips, clubs and acitivities increase costs for parents.

She said: “There is much that has been done to facilitate poorer children’s participation in school-related activities.

“However, there is more that can be done.

“Research shows that children are acutely aware of the deprivations they experience in relation to school.

“Parents are also aware of children’s school-related privations and do their best to prevent and mitigate the negative impacts.”