A Hull councillor has spoken out about the struggles her family faced affording school uniforms, as the city council announces plans to reintroduce grants for low-income families. Councillor Jessica Raspin, who represents the Labour party, said she was bullied at school because her blazer was too big—a deliberate purchase by her parents to ensure it would last as long as possible.
Raspin attended Melior Community College in Scunthorpe from 2005 to 2010. Her family relied on benefits because her younger brother has a rare condition requiring full-time care. She said the blazer cost around £30 to £40, a significant sum for her family, and she wore it for most of her school years until it was vandalised by other children.
“When you’re young you’re oblivious to the effect it has on your family,” Raspin said. “But then you start school and notice other kids have blazers that fit properly. Some kids can be cruel and pick on you. It can influence who you become friends with.”
Hull City Council recently approved a £40 uniform grant for families with children receiving free school meals who are starting secondary school this year. The move follows a call from Raspin in July to restore financial help that was cut more than a decade ago. She emphasised the need for sustainable, long-term support.
Raspin highlighted the rising cost of branded uniforms, noting that even better-off families struggle. She cited a family whose child delayed starting school because they could not afford the uniform. “Kids can ruin their clothes as well as grow out of them,” she said. “Replacing them can cost a fortune.”
