Members' Business — S6M-01065 Fulton MacGregor: Alleviating Poverty Associated with the Purchase of School Uniforms in Scotland

That the Parliament recognises and praises the continuing work of Cool School Uniforms, which is based in Coatbridge, in ensuring that many children across Coatbridge and Chryston are able to obtain warm, clean and comfortable school uniforms; notes that research by Dr Rachel Shanks at the University of Aberdeen has found that almost 20% of secondary schools in Scotland specify an exclusive supplier for their uniform, restricting parents and carers choices; understands that it has been suggested that regular reviews of exclusive supply arrangements of uniform items should take place in order to reduce costs; acknowledges the challenges that parents and carers face in ensuring that their children continue to be clothed appropriately for school, especially as uniforms become more expensive due to what it sees as exclusivity and rising prices and in the face of austerity; believes that the Scottish Government-Green Party cooperation deal has pledged to bring forward statutory guidance for schools to increase the use of generic items of uniform; welcomes this pledge, and notes the view that this and any other steps to alleviate poverty associated with the purchase of school uniforms should be brought forward as soon as practically possible.