T8. Mr Dickson asked the Minister of Education how he proposes to include children and young people in his recently announced consultation on school uniform policy and how their voices will be heard. (AQT 448/22-27)

The Member will know that there is provision for people to engage online with that consultation. Recognising that there has to be more detailed engagement with children and young people, the Education Authority will take forward stakeholder engagement events to ensure that the voices of children and young people are heard as part of that process.

Thank you, Minister, for your answer. You set out school uniform policy as one of your day-1 priorities. Given that it was a day-1 priority, why is the consultation being launched in June, at the end of the school year?

It has been taken forward at pace. I instructed officials to carry out the consultation, and work was undertaken to pull all the information together. It is out now for consultation. I want to have proposals brought to me by 30 October. That will allow me to look at the current guidance. It will also allow me to take forward the engagement that I need to have with Executive colleagues on the shape of the legislation. It is important because I have said that it is a priority for me, but, more importantly, the financial costs associated with school uniforms are the number-one issue that comes through in every parent and stakeholder engagement. At a time when cost-of-living pressures are really squeezing people's incomes, we need to ensure that we do everything possible to support families. The overwhelming Majority of schools follow the existing guidance, but I have given my support to putting that guidance on a statutory footing and ensuring that it is relevant and up to date. We are also seeking views on what a capped cost would look like. The consultation is an opportunity for the public to engage with that process.

I call Harry Harvey and point out that there is one minute to go.