NORTH Yorkshire County Council has increased the school clothing allowance this year to help some of the county's poorest families.
Despite the fact it is in the middle of a stringent savings programme, executive members have decided to increase the allowance from £65 to £70, helping more than 550 families.
Arthur Barker, executive member for schools, said the council's highest priority was to give children the best start in life and to support their education.
"We have increased the allowance because we believe it is essential to help to our poorest families who are very stretched during this economic downturn and have even less income to spend on their children's clothing."
Currently, the allowance is awarded to parents of pupils transferring from primary to secondary school (Year 7) and from middle to high school (Year 10).
Parents must be in receipt of one of a number of state benefits to qualify.
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