The Alliance Party has voiced "serious concerns" that the ongoing School Uniform Bill, sponsored by Education Minister Paul Givan, may fail to significantly reduce costs for parents and young people.

As the Bill progresses through its committee phase, Alliance education spokespeople highlight the continued absence of crucial statutory guidance from the Department of Education and the unavailability of departmental officials for questioning by the committee.

Nick Mathison, Chair of the Education Committee, stated: "This Bill needs to deliver lower costs for parents and carers and fairness for children and young people. The Bill places guidance for schools on a statutory footing. This guidance will be fundamental to what schools are required to do around branded items, affordability and reasonable adjustments, so to not have them means scrutiny is limited." Mathison criticised the accelerated scrutiny period, which was supported by the DUP, Sinn Fein, and other parties. "We didn’t support reducing the scrutiny period, as the DUP, Sinn Fein and other parties did, as we believed we needed more time to work through how we can ensure this Bill delivers, therefore we need the Department to come forward with the guidance urgently," he said. He added, "Having taken evidence from young people, families, unions and organisations, we remain concerned that the Bill as introduced may not deliver."

Michelle Guy, Lagan Valley MLA, echoed these concerns, suggesting the Department is not taking the scrutiny process seriously. "We have concerns that the Department are not taking the scrutiny of this Bill seriously. We have repeatedly been told the guidance for schools is forthcoming and yet the Committee still haven’t seen it," Ms Guy stated.

She further criticised the absence of departmental officials. "In addition, Departmental officials were not made available to answer questions on the legislation at this week’s committee session. The Minister assured the Committee that officials would be available to support the Committee throughout their consideration stage, yet they are unavailable at a key stage of this process."

Ms Guy called for clarity from the Minister on fundamental aspects of the Bill. "In the continued absence of seeing the guidance, the Minister needs to be clear on fundamental aspect of this Bill, like how many branded items should be allowed, if schools should be allowed branded PE kits and if he supports mandating equality elements, such as girls wearing trousers."

The School Uniform Bill aims to introduce binding guidelines on school uniform policies to make them more affordable and accessible for families across Northern Ireland.