ST HELENS Council has scrapped a scheme which gives support towards the cost of a school uniform.

Councillors agreed to cease the discretionary school clothing allowance scheme at Wednesday's cabinet meeting at the town hall.

The local authority says the decision has been made ceased as the council looks to make savings of £7.4m for the 2017/18 financial year.

A council report stated there is "no statutory duty" to provide support towards the cost of purchasing a school uniform. The Education Act 1996 made provision for local authorities to have discretionary power to provide school clothing grants or to help with the cost of school clothing in cases of financial hardship.

The authority pointed out "most neighbouring authorities have already ended their schemes".

The report adds the council is to "encourage schools to set a uniform policy based on low cost and easy availability".

However, in special circumstances, continued support will be made available to vulnerable families experiencing exceptional financial hardship through a revised Discretionary Assistance Scheme, if all other options have been exhausted.

Change come into effect from May 1, impacting the academic year starting in September 2017.

The council says the decision will result in a budgetary contribution of £255,000 towards the £1.838m loss of Education Services Grant (ESG) funding which ceases in September.

Cabinet member for corporate services Cllr Anthony Johnson said: "It is with great sadness that we are forced down this road but we have no choice."