To ask the Minister of Education (i) for an update on the review into eligibility criteria for free school meals and the school uniform grant; and (ii) to detail what consideration she has given to adopting a ceiling price for school uniforms, similar to rules made in England.

My Department is currently undertaking a review of Free School Meals and Uniform Grant eligibility criteria. The review has considered a wide range of options that include the provision of a universal free school meals to some/all year groups as well as raising the income thresholds that apply to the eligibility criteria for applicants in receipt of Universal Credit or Working/Child Tax Credit.

My Department continues to develop a costed options paper and it is intended that a public consultation exercise will take place later in the year.

In relation to the cost of school uniforms, I have instructed officials to identify an approach that will seek to ensure, on a statutory basis, that schools are required to make their uniforms more affordable for families. As part of this process, officials will be considering the introduction of a maximum price on the costs of uniforms, however the statutory guidance that now applies on the costs of school uniforms in England and Wales does not include any such price restrictions.