PARENTS on low incomes face a postcode lottery when it comes to accessing grants for school uniforms, it has been revealed.

Hugely varying levels of support have been found by a BBC investigation, with some councils paying up to £70 more than others.

Last year, the Scottish Government pledged to meet councils to discuss setting a minimum level, but that conversation is yet to take place.

In 2015, when BBC Scotland first carried out the survey, the majority of Scotland’s 32 councils had failed to increase the level of school clothing grants for more than a decade.

In the two years since, just eight of Scotland’s 32 local council areas have increased their grants.

Seventeen councils have not increased the rate in more than a decade. In 2005, the average secondary school grant was £50.09. More than a decade later, 13 councils still pay less than that amount.

The average maximum grant offered by councils is now £63.80, still well short of the £70 minimum recommended in 2009.

The lowest maximum grant levels were in North Ayrshire at £40, while West Lothian paid the most at £110.

Angus Council had the lowest rate in 2015, having reduced it to just £20. It has since raised the grant to £50, the same as it was in 2005.

Education Secretary John Swinney said he wants a voluntary agreement for councils to set a nationwide rate.

Mr Swinney told BBC Scotland: “The Scottish Government took steps in legislation to establish the power to set a minimum rate – but we judged the most appropriate way to take that forward was by dialogue with local authorities to avoid regulation in this respect.

“The Government would prefer to take forward a voluntary approach with local government but we have the power within legislation to establish that minimum level if we choose to do so.”

A statement for local government body Cosla added: “Scotland’s councils are committed to doing the very best for the communities they are elected to represent, especially those people in the most need.”