Budget ups uniform allowance

Government has increased the uniform allowance for schoolchildren by $500 and also increased the payment for those sewing uniforms in remote hinterland locations.

“Mr. Speaker, to enable greater access to education, we have increased the uniform allowance voucher from $1500 to $2000. This will benefit more than 167,000 students at a cost of over $337 million. Additionally, persons receiving payment for sewing uniforms in remote hinterland locations will now receive a 25 percent increase on the amount, from $800 to $1,000. This increases the disposable income of those hired while benefitting 33,000 students,” Minister of Finance Winston Jordan said during his presentation of the 2015 Budget yesterday.