Millions are expected to be cut from cost-of-living support for families.

Councillors have voiced outrage at Reform after Barnsley Council announced plans cut school uniform support for families.

In 2025/26, the council implemented cost of living schemes to support low income families and children.

These schemes included school uniform support for all statutory age year groups, and year 11 student study support packs.

The support offered was part of the council’s Great Childhoods Ambition, formed as part of a £2.8 million investment to help families financially.

Over 33,000 uniform vouchers were issued to Barnsley families, totalling £2.5 million.

The vouchers could be used for branded uniform or unbranded clothes in line with the school’s uniform policy.

Over 2,500 year 11 study support packs were also issued, totalling £150,000.

In a new report, Barnsley Council has proposed to continue the scheme but through a revised offer for 2026/27.

This includes discontinuing year 11 study support packs and limiting support to children in transition years only, such as children moving into reception or year seven.

Support packs include essential study equipment, revision resources and wellbeing support. They are aimed to level the playing field and give all students the tools they need to succeed in exams, assessments, and their next steps into further education, training, or employment.

The report says the council will continue to offer £50 per primary school child and £100 per secondary school child, totalling to £430,000.

Councillors voice outrage on social media

Councillor James Higginbottom, leader of Barnsley Labour, said: “Reform’s proposals would mean that access to school uniform grants will be severely restricted, with around 28,000 young people and their parents missing out on this vital support as the new school year begins.

“The school uniform grant scheme was fully funded for the 2026/27 academic year, as part of Barnsley Labour’s balanced budget. To remove it now shows us exactly what Reform’s priorities are: taking away vital cost of living support for thousands of Barnsley families.”

Barnsley Liberal Democrats said: “Reform’s decision now means the poorest in Barnsley now have to face difficult decisions, abandoned by this Reform council when they need support the most.

“The Lib Dems will always choose to help and support everybody in our communities, not removing support that gives children the best start in life they need.”

Also condemning the cuts, Barnsley Green Party posted: “Children grow every year. They need uniforms every year. By stripping away this funding, Barnsley Council is undermining its own pledge of “every child in school every day”.

“We urge the council to do the right thing: support our 33,000 local children to get the education they deserve.”

The cabinet is set to discuss the decision at their meeting on Wednesday, July 15.